Niger court orders expulsion of French ambassador
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The authorities stated that the Ambassador's diplomatic card and visa were canceled as he was declared persona non grata.
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On September 2, 2023, protesters in Niamey demand that colonial ruler France withdraw its troops. (AFP)
Nigerien news agency ANP reported on Saturday that a Nigerien court has ordered the expulsion of French Ambassador Sylvain Itte following a petition from the country's post-coup authorities.
The Nigerien Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Ambassador Itte's diplomatic immunity had been revoked and that the police had been ordered to expel him.
Later that day, Europe1 broadcaster reported that the Nigerien police had increased their presence outside the French embassy.
In the petition filed on Friday, the authorities stated that Ambassador Itte's diplomatic card and visa were canceled because he had been declared persona non grata and did not leave the country within the prescribed 48 hours.
This makes his continued stay in Niger illegal.
The document further stated that the French diplomat had been stripped of all diplomatic privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention.
#BREAKING: #Niger's military junta has declared #French ambassador Sylvain #Itte, persona non grata, and has asked him to leave Niger territory within forty-eight hours.
— Mowliid Haji Abdi (@MowliidHaji) August 25, 2023
The Reason given for his Expulsion was his and French Governments refusal to meet and work alongside the new… pic.twitter.com/57vBFP166H
Read more: Niger junta accuses Macron of forcing ECOWAS invasion
On July 26, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani led a coup d'état in Niger, ousting and detaining ex-President Mohamed Bazoum.
France condemned the coup and reiterated its support for the "legitimate government" of Niger.
The coup leaders halted gold and uranium exports to France, blocked French media, and denounced several military pacts with Paris.
In mid-August, they demanded that French forces withdraw from Niger by early September.
Mass rallies have taken place in Niger since the coup, calling for the complete withdrawal of French troops from the country.
🇳🇪🇫🇷THOUSANDS of Nigeriens take to streets demanding French military pack their bags and get out.
— Augustine Chikadibia (@AChikadibi5200) September 2, 2023
Crowds flock outside French army bases for 2nd day in a row to make sure they know Paris ain’t welcome in coup-hit Niger, while country’s new leadership has given France until Sept pic.twitter.com/mR6QC02MGq
Read more: Thousands in Niger rally against presence of French troops
