French ambassador leaves Niamey to Paris through Chad

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Sep 2023 13:19
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French ambassador to Niger Sylvain Itte leaves Niger's capital to Chad from where the ambassador will be returning to Paris.

Supporters of Niger's ruling junta gather at the start of a protest called to fight for the country's freedom and push back against foreign interference in Niamey, Niger, Aug. 3, 2023. (AP)

Sylvain Itte, the French Ambassador to Niger, left Niamey Wednesday and is headed to Paris, according to agency reports that have cited the Nigerien military council.

According to the council, Itte left for Chad from where the ambassador will be heading to France.

Earlier, the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) website, underscored that Niger's military authorities have prohibited French aircraft from flying through the country's airspace.

Prior to that, an announcement revealed on September 23 that Niger's airspace was "open to all national and international commercial flights except for French aircraft or aircraft chartered by France, including those of the airline Air France."

The airspace will stay blocked to "all military, operational, and other special flights" until prior authorization is obtained, according to the notice. Air France confirmed to AFP it would not fly over the country.

'New step toward sovereignty': Niger hails French army withdrawal news

After France announced that it would withdraw its ambassador and military troops from Niger by the end of the year, the new Nigerien government hailed the news as "a new step towards sovereignty."

"This Sunday, we celebrate a new step towards the sovereignty of Niger," read the statement, adding that "The French troops and the ambassador of France will leave Nigerien soil by the end of the year."

"This is a historic moment, which speaks to the determination and will of the Nigerien people."

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24 that France will summon back its French Ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, along with the entire personnel from the French Embassy.

Macron said France plans to orchestrate the withdrawal of its troops from Niger in the upcoming weeks or months, with the French military personnel returning to France by the conclusion of 2023.

On its part, commenting on the announced withdrawal of France from the African country, Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) said the presence of France's forces in Niger is not welcome.

"Any person, organization, or structure whose presence threatens the interests of our country must leave the land of our ancestors, whether they want it or not. The sovereign people of Niger recall the firm and inviolable principle of the withdrawal of foreign forces from the French junta. Imperialist and neo-colonial forces are not welcome on our national territory," the interim Nigerien government said in a statement.