CITIZENS COMPASS – THE Military leaders who took over power in Niamey on July 26 have issued 48 hours notice to the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, to leave the Niger Republic or face the consequence.
The notice was contained in a statement from Niger’s foreign ministry.
The decision came after the ambassador “refused to respond to an invitation” for a Friday meeting and following actions by the French government “contrary to the interests of Niger.”
The expulsion follows a rise in anti-France sentiment after the Nigerien army ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who is now detained along with his family.
The military rulers accused France of wanting to use military force to reinstate Bazoum and claim that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is under French influence.
ECOWAS has slammed hefty economic sanctions on Niger and warned of potential military action to restore constitutional order.
France currently has about 1,500 troops in Niger to help combat jihadist groups affecting the country and the broader Sahel region.
