Niger’s navy leaders had advised Sylvain Itte to go away the nation after they overthrew democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
France’s ambassador to Niger has landed in Paris after weeks of tensions with the brand new navy authorities within the West African nation that demanded his expulsion following the overthrow of democratically-elected chief President Mohamed Bazoum.
French International Minister Catherine Colonna met Sylvain Itte “to thank him and his groups for his work within the service of our nation below troublesome situations”, the ministry mentioned in a written assertion to AFP information company.
Itte left Niamey with six colleagues “round 4am” (03:00 GMT), a diplomatic supply had earlier advised AFP.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron had introduced in a TV interview that the ambassador would depart “within the coming hours”.
Niger’s navy leaders – who had advised Itte to go away the nation after they overthrew Bazoum on July 26 and took away the envoy’s diplomatic immunity and visa – welcomed the announcement.
Nonetheless, regardless of a 48-hour ultimatum for him to return to France that was issued in August, he remained as Paris refused to conform or recognise the brand new navy leaders. Paris had mentioned that solely Bazoum’s deposed authorities might order the envoy out.
Earlier this month, Macron mentioned Itte was residing like a hostage within the French embassy and accused navy rulers of blocking meals deliveries to the mission.
Born within the Malian capital Bamako in 1959, Itte had been within the put up as ambassador to Niger for a 12 months. He was beforehand ambassador to Uruguay and Angola.
‘Return to constitutional order’
Individually on Wednesday, Macron’s workplace reiterated France’s assist for ousted President Bazoum.
He had advised Hassoumi Massaoudou, overseas minister within the overthrown authorities, that France would proceed to work “for a return to the constitutional order in Niger”, the Elysee Palace mentioned.
Macron in a TV interview on Sunday – along with asserting Ambassador Itte would depart – mentioned French troops would withdraw from Niger in “the months and weeks to return” with a full pullout “by the tip of the 12 months”, one other demand of the Niger regime.
Within the interview, the French president additionally mentioned navy cooperation between the 2 nations was “over”.
In Niamey, hundreds of individuals have been holding near-daily demonstrations round a navy base housing French troopers to demand their departure. France has about 1,500 troopers within the nation as a part of a wider struggle in opposition to teams linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).
The coup in opposition to Bazoum was the third such coup within the area in as a few years, following comparable actions in fellow former French colonies Mali and Burkina Faso in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The sooner coups additionally pressured the pullouts of French troops.
