French ambassador to Niger stripped of diplomatic immunity

French Ambassador to Niger Sylvain Itte no longer enjoys diplomatic immunity. About it informs Sky News Arabia, citing a statement from the Niger Foreign Ministry.

The document states that the ambassador “no longer enjoys diplomatic immunity, and the diplomatic visas issued to him and his family members have been cancelled.” It follows from the statement that the Nigerian police received an order to begin the procedure for deporting the diplomat.

25 August Niger MFA declaredthat the French ambassador must leave the republic within 48 hours. The reason was the ambassador’s refusal to respond to an invitation for a conversation at the Foreign Ministry and France’s “other actions” that “contradict the interests of Niger.”

After 48 hours, French President Emmanuel Macron declaredthat, despite the ultimatum, the ambassador will remain in Niger. According to the Al Arabiya TV channel, there are also about 20 employees of the diplomatic mission in the embassy.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the military coup in Niger, calling it “illegal and very dangerous.” Paris did not recognize the power of the rebels and demanded the release of the arrested President Mohamed Bazum. At the beginning of August, Paris evacuated its citizens from Niger, while France refused to take its military out of the country.

Later Niger accused France in preparation for military intervention. On August 9, the rebels said that France had violated the airspace of the republic. In Paris these accusations rejected.

The military coup in Niger took place on July 27. President Mohamed Bazum was removed, and the leader of the rebellion, the head of the presidential guard, Abdurahman Tchiani, became the new leader. On August 10, he signed a decree on the creation of a new government, which included 21 ministers.