2023-08-25 21:54:00
The soldiers who took power at the end of July in Niamey decided on Friday to expel the ambassadors of several countries. Representatives of Paris, Berlin and Abuja have 48 hours to “leave Nigerien territory”
The military who took power in Niamey on July 26 gave the German ambassador to Niger 48 hours on Friday to leave, says a letter from the Nigerien foreign ministry, shortly following a similar announcement concerning the French ambassador. .
Faced with “the refusal of the German ambassador in Niamey to respond to the invitation” of the ministry “for an interview” on Friday “and other actions of the German government contrary to the interests of Niger”, the authorities “decided to withdraw their approval from Olivier Schnakenberg and ask him to leave Nigerien territory within 48 hours”, indicates this letter addressed to the German government.
Refusal of the Quai d’Orsay
A similar request was also made to the Nigerian ambassador, AFP reported on Friday evening.
A few tens of minutes earlier, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied by affirming that “the putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the approval of the ambassador emanating only from the legitimate elected authorities of Niger”, those of the President Mohamed Bazoum overthrown on July 26.
A position shared by Hassoumi Massoudou, head of diplomacy for Mohamed Bazoum, who on X (ex-Twitter) “recalls that the ambassador is accredited to the elected President”.
The decision to expel the ambassador follows a series of statements, decisions and demonstrations hostile to France since the coup once morest Mohamed Bazoum, still detained with part of his family.
The military regime in particular accused Paris of wanting to intervene militarily in Niger to put Mohamed Bazoum back in place and affirmed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was an organization “in the pay” of France, former colonial power in the region.
ECOWAS imposed heavy economic and financial sanctions on Niger following the coup and threatened the military regime to use armed force to restore constitutional order.
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