2023-09-16 00:20:00
Mr. Macron expresses the recognition that the ambassador to Niger is being held hostage in the embassy/Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
2023.09.16 Sat posted at 09:20 JST
(CNN) French President Emmanuel Macron said on the 15th that the ambassador and other diplomats stationed in Niger in western Africa are “literally being held hostage in the French embassy.”
He spoke to reporters during a visit to the Cote d’Or department in central France. At the embassy in the capital Niamey, “food deliveries have been blocked” and the ambassador is “eating military rations”.
Mr Macron also revealed that Ambassador Sylvain Itte “cannot go out and is being treated as a persona non grata”.
Niger’s military government ordered Ambassador Itte to leave the country after seizing power in July. He then canceled the visa and instructed police to deport the ambassador.
However, French authorities do not recognize the authority of the military government, and the French president’s office says the ambassador remains in the country.
When asked if he intended to send the ambassador home, Mr. Macron emphasized the authority of Niger’s ousted President Bazoum. He said: “I will implement whatever agreement I have with President Bazoum, who has the rightful authority. I speak with him every day.”
France’s Foreign Minister Corona said he was still working and a small team was accompanying him.
Corona said Itte would “stay as long as we want” and said it would be up to Macron to decide whether to return.
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