2023-09-12 17:57:05
PARIS (AP) — France said Tuesday that one of its officials has been arrested in Niger, where the military recently seized power in a coup, and demanded his immediate release.
The military in Niger overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum in July and then ordered French officials to leave the country, an order that France has ignored, saying the junta is not the legitimate government there.
The French Foreign Ministry indicated on X (formerly Twitter) that Stephane Jullien, counselor for French citizens abroad, was arrested last Friday, and demanded his “immediate release.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has said the French ambassador will remain in his post in Niger despite the military demanding his departure. In a speech to ambassadors in August, Macron played down fears that disobeying the junta might be dangerous.
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