The disparities between Niamey and Paris appear intractable. French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his government’s stance on the juta during a key foreign policy speech to diplomats in Paris on Monday (Aug. 28).
Macron stressed on Monday that France would not modify its stance on the coup, and he backed Mohamed Bazoum and ECOWAS.
“Our policy is correct.” “It depends on President Mohamed Bazoum’s fortitude, the dedication of our diplomats, and our ambassador on the ground who is staying despite pressure,” Macron told a conference of French ambassadors in the city.
The Nigerien Foreign Ministry ordered French Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave Niger within 48 hours in a letter dated Friday (Aug. 25), accusing him of neglecting an invitation to meet with the ministry. The letter also mentioned “activities of the French government that are adverse to Niger’s interests.”
Niger’s President Bazoum was toppled on July 26. France, the Economic Community of West African States and the UN among others have called for him to be reinstated.
“We do not recognise the putschists, we support a president who has not resigned, who we remain committed to. And we support the diplomatic action and, military action should it be the case, of ECOWAS, within a partnership approach which is the one I presented last February, ” the French head of state said.
The de facto ruling CNSP have since the coup appointed a new government. Coup leader general Abdourahmane Tiani said the CNSP will return Niger to democratic rule within 3 years as he announced a national dialogue on Aug. 19.
ECOWAS has hit the nation with sanctions, threatening to send troops.
A spokesman for the French military on Aug. 10 said that any cooperation with Niger in the fields of development and financial aid and military partnerships had been suspended until further notice.
