France has reacted to the directives of coup leaders in the Niger Republic asking its Ambassador, Sylvain Itte, in the country to leave within 48 hours.
According to France, the coup leaders in Niger do not have the authority to expel its ambassador in Niamey.
News360 Info had earlier reported that the coup leaders asked Itte to leave their country after the ambassador “refused to respond to an invitation” for a Friday meeting.
The military rulers accuse France of wanting to use military force to reinstate the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum and claim that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is under French influence.
France currently has about 1,500 troops in Niger to help combat jihadist groups affecting the country and the broader Sahel region.
Recall that ECOWAS had threatened to invade the country if military coup leaders failed to return authority in the country to Bazoum who is currently being detained.
France in its reaction to the directive said, “France has taken note of the putschists’ request.
“The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador’s approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities.
We are constantly evaluating the security and operating conditions of our embassy.”
