Niger junta give German, French envoys 48 hours to leave

DW

Niger’s military rulers on Friday ordered the ambassadors of Germany, France and the US to leave the country in 48 hours.

All three countries have sharply criticized the coup in Niger last month, demanding its military rulers to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Faced with “the refusal of the German ambassador in Niamey to respond to an invitation” from the Foreign Ministry for a meeting Friday and “other actions of the German government contrary to the interests of Niger,” the authorities had decided to ask the ambassador to leave, the ministry said in a letter.

It came after a similar letter was sent to the French envoy on Friday, ordering him to leave the country in 48 hours.

But France said Niger’s “putschists have no authority” to expel its ambassador in Niamey. 

“The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador’s approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities,” Paris said, adding: “We are constantly evaluating the security and operating conditions of our embassy.”

France’s stance on the Niger coup

The military rulers have preceded the move with several hostile statements regarding France since the July 26 coup, which toppled elected President Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum has been detained since and

France has been a vocal opponent of the junta’s seizure of power.

On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized the junta, demanding Bazoum’s release.

The regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has on Niger and repeatedly hinted it might resort to military intervention to reverse the coup. 

The military junta has rejected the notion, with military leaders claiming that the ECOWAS was influenced by Paris.

rmt/jcg (AFP, AP)

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