French Envoy Still In Niger Republic Despite Junta’s Ultimatum – President Macron

Despite an ultimatum from the new army authorities to depart, France’s ambassador to Niger Republic remains in the Sahel country, French President Emmanuel Macron stated Monday.

Macron acknowledged that French envoy Sylvain Itte was listening in from Niger’s capital Niamey during a major foreign policy speech to diplomats gathering in Paris, despite being given a 48-hour deadline to depart the country last Friday.

“France and its diplomats have faced particularly difficult situations in some countries in recent months, from Sudan, where France has been exemplary, to Niger at this very moment and I applaud your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their posts,” he said.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was detained together with his family at the presidential palace on July 26 in a coup condemned by France and most of Niger’s neighbors.

Niger’s foreign ministry declared on Friday that French Ambassador Itte had 48 hours to leave, citing his refusal to meet with the new rulers and French government activities that were “contrary to Niger’s interests.”

Macron reiterated that France will not modify its stance on rejecting the coup and supporting Bazoum, noting that he had been lawfully elected and was being “courageous” in refusing to resign.

“Our policy is clear: we do not recognise the putschists,” Macron said.

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