Paris [France], August 29: The French ambassador plans to stay in Niger despite having been given an ultimatum by the country's putschists, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
He also reiterated France's support to Niger's overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, whose decision not to resign Macron called courageous. Macron also said Paris would support any military action by The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger.
On Friday, the military junta had given French ambassador Sylvain Itte 48 hours to leave the country. But Macron now said the ambassador will stay put despite the pressure.
Macron stated that France did not recognize the junta who seized power in Niger in a military coup on July 26. The Presidential Guard ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and placed him and his family under house arrest.
ECOWAS has been trying to negotiate with the leaders of the coup but has said it is ready to deploy troops to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts fail.
The commander of the elite unit, General AbdourahamaneTchiani, subsequently appointed himself the new ruler and suspended the constitution. The junta also terminated military cooperation with former colonial power France.
The French foreign ministry said the putschists were not authorized to make such a demand of the ambassador, as Itte's accreditation comes from only legitimate, elected authorities.
The French leader, who was speaking during a major foreign policy speech to ambassadors gathered in Paris, confirmed that French envoy Sylvain Itte was listening in from Niger's capital Niamey despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave the country last Friday.
"France and its diplomats have faced particularly difficult situations in some countries in recent months, from Sudan, where France has been exemplary, to Niger at this very moment and I applaud your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their posts," he said.
Macron insisted that France would not change its position in condemning the coup and offering support to Bazoum, stressing he had been democratically elected.
"I think our policy is the right one. It's based on the courage of President Bazoum, and on the commitments of our ambassador on the ground who is remaining despite all the pressure, despite all the declarations made by the illegitimate authorities," said Macron.
For France, Niger had been an important partner in its anti-terror fight in Africa's Sahel region - especially after the military leaders in Mali and Burkina Faso forced the withdrawal of French troops from their countries.
Paris has about 2,500 soldiers stationed in Niger and neighbouring Chad.
Source: Qatar Tribune