PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron announced in a speech to diplomats on Monday that France’s ambassador to Niger will remain in the nation despite demands from leaders of a recent coup.
Macron also reaffirmed France’s support for Niger’s deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, whom he praised for his refusal to resign.
“I believe our policy is sound. It is based on President Bazoum’s courage and the promises of our ambassador on the ground, who is remaining despite all the pressure and assertions made by the illegitimate authorities,” Macron said.
Niger’s junta, which took power in a coup on July 26, claimed on Friday that it had ordered French Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.
Macron also rejected suggestions from some in the US and Europe for Western countries to abandon Bazoum.
“We do not recognize those who carried out the putsch; we support a president who has not resigned and with whom we remain engaged,” Macron added.
The main West African bloc, ECOWAS, has been attempting to talk with the leaders of the Niger coup, and has stated that if diplomatic attempts fail, it is prepared to deploy soldiers to restore constitutional order.
Source: Reuters