French President Emmanuel Macron announces that the ambassador in Niger has been held hostage in a French facility by the military junta. At the end of August, the junta stripped the French ambassador of his diplomatic immunity and ordered the police to expel him.
Ambassador France in Niger was “literally taken hostage” in a French facility by the military junta that took power in the country, the president said on Friday Emmanuel Macron. – Food deliveries are prevented. The ambassador is receiving military rations, the president announced.
Anti-French sentiment is growing in NigerISSIFOU DJIBO/PAP/EPA
The junta took power in Niger
The military that took power in Niger after the coup of July 26, demands the departure of the French ambassador from Niamey and condemns the agreement with France under which 1,5 thousand people are stationed in Niger. French soldiers.
Paris still considers deposed president Mohamed Bazoum, detained by the junta, as the rightful head of state and does not want to respond to the demands of the putschists for now.
At the end of August, the junta stripped the French ambassador of his diplomatic immunity and ordered the police to expel him. The French Foreign Ministry then issued a statement emphasizing that the junta did not have the prerogative to expel the diplomat.
Main photo source: ISSIFOU DJIBO/PAP/EPA