According to the Nigerien Foreign Ministry, Niger’s junta ordered the French ambassador in Niamey to leave the country within 48 hours on Friday.
The Nigerien Foreign Ministry stated in a statement released by state-run television ORTN that ambassador Sylvain Itte had refused to attend a meeting with the country’s foreign minister set for Friday.
The ministry stated that in the light of the refusal, Nigerien authorities had withdrew Itte’s credentials citing “other actions by the French government that are against Niger’s interest.”
“France had taken note of the putchists request,” claimed France’s Foreign Ministry.
“The putchists do not have the authority to make this demand, the approval of the ambassador comes only from the legitimate, elected Nigerien authority.” The ministry stated.
Separately the US state department stated in a late Friday statement that it had received information from Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that there were “images of letters circulating on the internet calling for the departure of a certain Amercan Diplomatic personnel.”
However, it stated that these “were not issued by the ministry,” and that no such request was made to the US government”
