Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The French Embassy in Niger is closed and will continue to operate from Paris. The French Foreign Ministry announced this on its website on January 2.
“The French Embassy in Niger is closed until further notice,” the statement said.
It is noted that the diplomatic mission will continue to operate from Paris. In this case, consular activities will be carried out by French consulates in the region.
As Regnum reported, on August 25, 2023, the new Niger authorities demanded that Sylvain Itte leave the country within 48 hours. They explained their decision by the actions of the French authorities, contrary to the interests of the African republic.
In turn, the French Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that Paris took note of this request. However, the department noted that the military, which came to power in Niger, does not have the authority to contact the ambassador with such a request.
In September, Niger authorities banned all but members of the French diplomatic mission from visiting the French ambassador. For this reason, in Niamey, cars with representatives of the EU and Spain were not able to travel to the French Embassy for a conversation with the ambassador.
In addition, the Niger authorities demanded that Paris withdraw its troops from the territory of the republic.
The coup in Niger took place on July 26. The military removed President Mohamed Bazoum from governing the country and blocked him in the presidential residence. During the coup, the chairman of the CNSP, Abdurahmane Tchiani, signed a decree establishing a new transitional government in Niger.
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