DThe military government in Niger has asked the French ambassador in Niamey to leave the country within 48 hours. The authorities had decided to revoke Ambassador Sylvain Itte’s approval, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday. The French Foreign Ministry immediately rejected the decision – and denied those in power the authority.
Documents also circulated on Saturday night suggesting that the putschists had also expelled the German ambassador Oliver Schnakenberg from the country. The AFP news agency reported, citing a letter, that the diplomat was being asked to leave Nigerien territory “within 48 hours”.
A little later, Schnakenberg spoke up himself. On Portal X, formerly known as Twitter, he described the report as “fake news”. The AFP news agency later referred to forged documents that were apparently in circulation.
The military overthrew the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger on July 26 and took power in the country. Germany and France, in line with other Western and African states, do not recognize the new rulers.