According to the President of France, the representatives of Paris are in the hands of the military junta that has taken power in the African country
from Radio frequency – French President Emmanuel Macron said, Friday (15), that the French ambassador to Niger is being held “hostage” by the ruling army and is now taking only “military rations.” “In Niger, as I speak to you, we have an ambassador and members of diplomats hostage in the French embassy,” Macron said during a trip to the Dijon region in eastern France. According to the head of state, the representatives of Paris are in the hands of the military junta that took power in the African country.
Macron denounced that “food delivery is forbidden. He eats military rations,” adding that Ambassador Sylvain Etty “does not have the possibility of leaving.” The president insisted that he was “persona non grata and they refuse to let him eat.” Last month, the Nigerian military junta ordered the expulsion of the French ambassador, a request deemed unacceptable by Paris, which does not recognize the coup plotters.
Coup in Niamey – The army, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and seized power on July 26 in the capital, ordered the expulsion of the French diplomat in late August after Paris refused to meet a deadline for his departure. Since then, France has continued to oppose his departure, arguing that the government does not have the authority to make such a request.
In response to a question about the possible return of the ambassador to Paris, the Head of State confirmed: “I will do what we decided with President Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority and I speak to him every day.” Mohamed Bazoum is still considered by France to be the president of Niger.
On September 10, Macron had already confirmed that the possible redeployment of French forces stationed in Niger would only be taken at the request of President Bazoum. The new authority in power has denounced the military cooperation agreements with France and is counting on the “quick departure” of about 1,500 French soldiers present in the country.
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Emmanuel Macron also stressed that France “will clearly continue to welcome” artists from the Sahel region, while voices were raised in the world of culture against the directive of the French administration, which demands the suspension of all forms of cooperation with artists from Niger, but also from Mali and Burkina Faso, the two countries facing… Serious political crises.
However, he admitted that for Nigerian artistes who do not yet have a visa, the situation appears complicated as access to French consular services is no longer possible. “It’s not that we’re withholding it, it’s that we can’t give [a possibilidade de acesso à embaixada] Macron said: “Because of the coup plotters and for security reasons.”
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