THE French Ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, has now returned to Paris following calls for his expulsion by Niger’s military junta.
In a written statement to AFP, on Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna met Sylvain Itte “to thank him and his teams for his work in the service of our country under difficult conditions.”
A diplomatic source had informed AFP that the Ambassador left Niamey, Niger, at about 4am West African time, with six other diplomats.
A coup in Niger which deposed President Mohamed on July 26, left strained relations between France and the West African country.
The Junta laid siege to the French Embassy, issuing it a 48hr ultimatum to leave the country.
In turn, French President, Emmanuel Macron, had announced on Sunday, that the French Ambassador and others will depart Niger.
The announcement by Macron was received warmly by the Junta, who called for the expulsion along with the about 3,000 French soldiers bases in Niger.
