French ambassador and others held hostage in Niger coup, says Macron.
French Ambassador Held Hostage in Niger
French President Emmanuel Macron made a shocking announcement on Friday, revealing that their ambassador to Niger is currently being held hostage at the French embassy. Macron expressed his concern, stating, “In Niger, as I speak to you, we have an ambassador and diplomatic members who are literally being held hostage. They are preventing food deliveries, and he is eating military rations.”
Challenging Times for Ambassador Sylvain Itte
Ambassador Sylvain Itte, aged 64, has been serving in Niger since October of last year. However, his current term has been disrupted by a coup led by the Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (CNSP), which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Despite the CNSP’s demand for Itte to leave the country within 48 hours, Macron has chosen to keep him there, even deploying 1,500 additional French troops to Niger.
Macron emphasized his commitment to working with President Bazoum, recognizing him as the legitimate authority. However, neither France nor the European Union has officially recognized the CNSP as the ruling party.
International Response and Reluctance
The Biden administration has been cautious in labeling the situation as an attempted coup, as doing so could potentially strain military ties with Niger. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States is contemplating a military intervention. In the midst of this uncertainty, the United States is prepared to evacuate troops from its Nigerien Air Base 201, as the airspace remains closed.
These developments highlight the complex and tense situation unfolding in Niger, with the French ambassador’s safety hanging in the balance.
How has the French government responded to the demand for the ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours?
French Ambassador Held Hostage in Niger
French President Emmanuel Macron made a shocking announcement on Friday, revealing that their ambassador to Niger is currently being held hostage at the French embassy. Macron expressed his concern, stating, “In Niger, as I speak to you, we have an ambassador and diplomatic members who are literally being held hostage. They are preventing food deliveries, and he is eating military rations.”
Ambassador Sylvain Itte, aged 64, has been serving in Niger since October of last year. However, his current term has been disrupted by a coup led by the Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (CNSP), which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Despite the CNSP’s demand for Itte to leave the country within 48 hours, Macron has chosen to keep him there, even deploying 1,500 additional French troops to Niger.
Macron emphasized his commitment to working with President Bazoum, recognizing him as the legitimate authority. However, neither France nor the European Union has officially recognized the CNSP as the ruling party.
The Biden administration has been cautious in labeling the situation as an attempted coup, as doing so could potentially strain military ties with Niger. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States is contemplating a military intervention. In the midst of this uncertainty, the United States is prepared to evacuate troops from its Nigerien Air Base 201, as the airspace remains closed.
These developments highlight the complex and tense situation unfolding in Niger, with the French ambassador’s safety hanging in the balance.
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