Media: French Ambassador leaves Niger

The French Ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, left Niamey early on the morning of September 27. About it reports Al Arabiya TV channel citing a French diplomatic source and a source in the Niger government.

According to an interlocutor at the French Embassy, ​​Itte and six other diplomats took off from Niger around 04:00 (06:00 Moscow time). A source in the Niger Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed this information, adding that the plane was heading to Chad.

Al Hadath, citing sources, writes that the French ambassador is scheduled to land in Paris on the afternoon of September 27.

September 24, French President Emmanuel Macron announcedthat Paris has decided to recall the ambassador and embassy staff who are in Niger. The French leader also announced the end of military cooperation with Niger and the beginning of the withdrawal of French troops from the African country. According to him, the process should be completed by the end of the year.

After the coup in Niger, the rebels demanded that France withdraw its troops and recall its ambassador, but Paris refused to do this, believing that the putschists “have no right” to make such demands. 25 August Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Niger statedthat the French ambassador must leave the republic within 48 hours. After 48 hours, Macron stressed that, despite the ultimatum, the ambassador would remain in Niger. 31 August Niger authorities reportedthat Itte no longer enjoys diplomatic immunity.

The military coup in Niger took place on July 27. President Mohamed Bazoum was removed, and the leader of the rebellion, the head of the presidential guard, Abdurrahman Tchiani, became the new leader. On August 10, he signed a decree creating a new government, which included 21 ministers. Macron previously condemned the military coup in Niger, calling it “illegal and very dangerous.”