Niger’s junta has demanded that French ambassador Sylvain Itte leave the country within 48 hours, escalating tensions between the West African nation and its former colonial ruler. The military takeover in Niger, similar to recent coups in Burkina Faso and Mali, has been accompanied by a rise in anti-French sentiment, with locals accusing France of meddling in their affairs. The junta-appointed foreign ministry stated that the expulsion of the ambassador was a response to actions taken by the French government that were deemed detrimental to Niger’s interests, including the envoy’s refusal to meet with Niger’s new foreign minister. The French foreign ministry has not yet responded to the request for comment.
France has called for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in the coup, and has expressed support for the efforts of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to reverse the coup. Additionally, France has not officially recognized the junta’s decision to revoke several military agreements with France in early August, arguing that these agreements were signed with Niger’s legitimate authorities. The strained relations between Niger and France mirror the post-coup developments in Mali and Burkina Faso, where French forces have been expelled and longstanding ties have been severed.
Niger holds strategic importance as one of the world’s largest producers of uranium and as a base for foreign troops, including those from France and the United States, who are assisting in the fight against Islamist militant groups in the region. The situation remains tense as Niger’s junta continues to assert its authority and confrontations with France persist.
Reporting by Boureima Balima; Additional reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Chris Reese, Andrew Heavens, and Andy Sullivan.
