Niger Republic's coupists
Niger coup leaders deny expelling US, Nigerian ambassadors
The junta in Niger Republic has dismissed reports of expelling German, United States, or Nigerian ambassadors.
The coup leaders said only the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, was ordered to leave the country within 48 hours.
Specifically, the Niger coup leaders accused the French ambassador of refusing to respond to an invitation to meet the foreign minister.
A statement issued late Friday, August 25 by the foreign ministry confirmed that the French ambassador refused to respond to an invitation to meet Niger’s foreign minister.
However, the French Foreign Ministry said the coup plotters do not have the authority to expel the ambassador, hence, they rejected the move to expel Itte.
According to the statement, “Niger does not need authorization or an interpretation of the Vienna Convention of 1961 to order the ambassador’s expulsion within 24 hours.”
France has announced the evacuation of its citizens and other European nationals from the Niger Republic following the dramatic coup by the military.
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement, adding that the evacuation commenced on Tuesday, August 1.
France, on Friday, August 4, had rejected the Niger junta’s move to cut off bilateral military ties.
The French foreign ministry said the West African country’s “legitimate” leadership alone was entitled to do so.
Earlier, reports stated that the coup leaders in Niger Republic have ordered French ambassador, Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.
The foreign ministry disclosed this in a statement on Friday, August 25.
According to the statement, the decision was taken partly due to Itte’s refusal to respond to an invitation to a meeting with the minister of foreign affairs.
About The Author
