Niger Junta Expels French Ambassador

Facts

• Niger's military leadership on Friday ordered the French ambassador to leave the West African country within 48 hours as relations between France and its former colony continue to deteriorate.¹
• In a statement, Niger's junta accused Sylvain Itte of ignoring an invitation to meet with the minister of foreign affairs and referred to "actions by the French government contrary to Nigers' interests."²
• Meanwhile, France said "the putschists do not have the authority" to order its ambassador to leave the country, adding that Itte was approved by "the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities."³
• Earlier, Niger's junta signed a military pact with Mali and Burkina Faso authorizing the armed forces of its neighbors to intervene in the event of an attack on Nigerien territory.⁴
• The news comes after French Pres. Emmanuel Macron urged the release of Nigerien Pres. Mohamed Bazoum and the restoration of constitutional order in the country. Following the July coup, France and the EU had suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger.⁵
• Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States said that "it is not too late" for the regime in Niamey to restore democracy, pointing out that military intervention remains an option.¹

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²Africanews, ³France 24, ⁴Dw.Com, and ⁵Punch Newspapers.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Euractiv. The fact that the French ambassador was expelled from Niger further proves the growing local and regional resentment against the former colonial ruler. While Paris continues to interfere in Niger's internal affairs and demand the reinstatement of its puppet government, the coup is primarily a product of the "Françafrique" policy, the rejection of the French presence in the country, and France's failed anti-terror campaign.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Vanguard News. The French ambassador's expulsion marks a new round of hostility and reflects a broader regional ingratitude toward France. What the putschists in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger tend to ignore in their anti-French tirades is that without France's counterterrorism operations, these countries would probably no longer exist. The coup in Niger is a coup against democracy, its people, and its sustenance.

Predictions