2023-09-16 19:55:00
From the vicinity of the French embassy in the capital of Niger, Niamey (archive from Agence France-Presse)
Dubai – Al Arabiya.net
Published on: September 16, 2023: 11:55 PM GST Last updated: September 17, 2023: 12:23 AM GST
After the military authorities in Niger withdrew diplomatic immunity from… Ambassador of France Sylvain Ethé I ordered him to leave the country at the end of last August, and the security forces continue to enforce a harsh ban on him.
Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath envoy reported on Saturday that Nigerien security was preventing the French ambassador from visiting for the third week in a row.
Paris insists on its position
It is noteworthy that the military authorities in Niger had earlier this September prevented the ambassadors of the European Union and Spain from visiting Eteh, according to the Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath envoy.
Security forces deployed for weeks around the French Embassy also prohibited cars from entering the building.
Despite this, Paris still refuses to recognize the new Nigerian authorities, and refuses to leave its ambassador in response to the request of the coup plotters who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who is detained in his palace.
“Takes military rations”
On Friday, the French President announced Emmanuel Macron The French ambassador to Niger is “detained” by the ruling military, pointing out that the food he eats is “military food rations.”
Macron also said during his visit to the Saumur-en-Auxois region in central-eastern France: “In Niger, at the time I am speaking to you, we have an ambassador and diplomatic staff who have been taken hostage in the French embassy,” adding that the military “are denying (these) food, and the ambassador is eating.” Military food rations.
“He can no longer get out”
He also pointed out that Ambassador Sylvain Ette “no longer has the possibility of leaving. He is an undesirable person.”
When asked about the possibility of the ambassador returning to Paris, he replied: “I will do what we will agree on with President Bazoum because he is the one with the legitimate authority and I talk to him every day.”
Cancellation of agreements
It is noteworthy that since the coup of last July 26, diplomatic tension has reached its peak between the ruling military and France, which does not recognize their legitimacy.
On August 3, the coup leaders in Niger announced the cancellation of several military cooperation agreements with France, which deploys about 1,500 soldiers in the country as part of its broader battle against extremists.
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