French ambassador held ‘hostage’ at French embassy in Niger

French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that the French ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, and different French diplomats are “literally being held hostage at the French embassy” within the capital metropolis of Niamey, as tensions between France and the navy junta in Niger proceed to escalate.

In an announcement to the press throughout a go to to the Côte D’Or area in France on Friday, President Macron expressed his concern over the dire state of affairs on the French embassy in Niger. He revealed that the embassy had been minimize off from important provides, saying, “Food was prevented from being delivered to the embassy, and the ambassador is now eating military rations.”

Macron went on to emphasise the gravity of the state of affairs, stating that Ambassador Sylvain Itte “cannot go out, he is persona non grata and he is being refused food.”

The French president’s remarks make clear the regarding circumstances confronted by French diplomats in Niger.

This diplomatic standoff stems from the navy junta’s seizure of energy in Niger again in July, following a sequence of political crises within the West African nation. The junta initially ordered Ambassador Itte to go away the nation and subsequently revoked his visa, instructing the police to expel him.

However, Ambassador Itte selected to stay in place, with the backing of the French authorities, which adamantly refused to acknowledge the authority of the junta. President Macron’s current statements underscore the French authorities’s unwavering help for the diplomat.

When requested about potential efforts to convey Ambassador Itte again house, President Macron made it clear that he would act in session with the professional authority in Niger, President Mohamed Bazoum. Macron acknowledged, “I will do whatever we agree on with President Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority, and I speak with him every day.”

President Mohamed Bazoum was democratically elected two years in the past, marking the primary peaceable switch of energy in Niger’s historical past since gaining independence in 1960. However, on July 26, members of his personal presidential guard eliminated him from workplace, marking the third coup in as a few years within the Sahel area.

The coup leaders argue that their actions are meant to forestall additional financial and safety issues within the nation, however their actions have been met with condemnation and sanctions from the worldwide neighborhood. The European Union has suspended monetary help to Niger, whereas the African Union (AU) has known as on the coup leaders to return to their barracks.

In response to the disaster, the French international ministry has taken a agency stance, suspending all improvement help and finances help to Niger with instant impact. France has demanded a swift return to constitutional order, with President Bazoum restored to energy. French improvement help for Niger in 2022 amounted to roughly 120 million euros ($130 million) and was anticipated to extend barely within the present yr.

As the diplomatic standoff intensifies and worldwide stress mounts on the navy junta in Niger, the state of affairs stays risky, with the destiny of Ambassador Itte and the French embassy on the forefront of world considerations.