The French government has confirmed that its Ambassador in the Niger capital, Niamey, has left the country after months of tense relations between the two countries. He left Niamey for N’Djamena in Chad on the French Air Force Dassault Falcon 2000LX (reg. F-RAFD).
A statement from the government in Paris says the Ambassador was flown out of Niger on Wednesday morning.
Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the ambassador and some staff of the embassy weren’t free to communicate as they were held captive.
Speaking to the media, the president stated that the ambassador and the staff of the embassy “were held hostage”. The new military government, after seizing power in June this year, expelled French forces and the French Ambassador.
The junta stated that the Ambassador, Sylvain Itte, was given 48 hours to leave Niamey or face the wrath of the new government. They had stated that Amb. Itte was asked to leave because the actions of the French government are contrary to the interests of the people of Niger.
However, the French government ignored the order, saying that it would not recognize the new government.
The aftermath of the French decision not to withdraw its troops and the members of the diplomatic mission was mass action by Nigeriens against France, which led to a number of protests at the French embassy.
The scale of these mass protests was huge, and their intent was clearly in solidarity with the military junta, sending a signal to France that its days in Niger were close to an end.
A few days ago, President Macron said that France would be withdrawing its 1,500 troops and the ambassador from the West African country by the end of the year.
