Niger: the junta cancels the visa of the French ambassador
The military junta in power in Niger has reiterated the expulsion order of the French ambassador Sylvain Itté, who is no longer recognized as having “the privileges and immunity” linked to his role, and has asked for the intervention of the forces of police. In a statement signed by the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the coup plotters underline that, once the deadline of 28 August granted to the diplomat to leave the country within 48 hours has expired, “the interested party no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities connected to his status as a member of the diplomatic staff of the embassy”.
The diplomatic cards and visas of Itté and his family are consequently “cancelled” and the police force “instructed to proceed with his expulsion”. Last August 25, the coup junta gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country. The decision, we read in the note, follows the “refusal” that the diplomat would have opposed to an invitation to go to the ministry’s headquarters that morning and other “actions of the French government, contrary to the interests of Niger”.
The French Foreign Ministry rejected the directive, which came from non-democratically elected authorities. The military of the coup junta “does not have the authority” to order Ambassador Itté to leave the country, we read in a note. Position also reiterated by French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced that the diplomat would remain in his post “despite pressure from the military” on the basis of a policy “based on the courage of President (Nigerian Mohamed) Bazoum and the commitment of ambassador in the field”. In turn, the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) expressed “full support for the French ambassador”, and reiterated that Brussels “does not recognize and will not recognize the authorities resulting from the coup d’état in Niger” . The “decision of the coup plotters to expel the French ambassador from the country is a new provocation that can in no way help find a diplomatic solution to the current crisis”, reads the note.
In response to the refusal to withdraw the ambassador, General Omar Tchiani’s military ordered the suspension of the supply of water and electricity to the French embassy in Niamey and to the French consulate in Zinder, the second city of Niger also known by the name of Damagaram . In a statement, the president of the national support committee for the CNSP (the National Council for the Protection of the Country under which the coup plotters were organised), Elh Issa Hassoumi Boureima, ordered all suppliers to suspend the water and electricity network. electricity and the delivery of food to the two representations, stating that anyone who violates the directive will be considered an “enemy of the sovereign people”.
This article is originally published on agenzianova.com
