Niger Coup Leaders Order Police to Arrest the French Ambassador

Niger’s ruling military junta on Thursday yanked the French ambassador’s diplomatic immunity and told police to expel him, escalating a standoff between coup leaders and the government of their former colonial ruler.

Ambassador Sylvain Itte last week ignored an order to leave the country. France doesn’t recognize the military government of Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, whose forces overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum last month.

On Thursday, Tchiani upped the ante by effectively directing police to arrest French President Emanuel Macron’s personal representative to the West African nation for failing to leave the country. Itte's visa was canceled.

“The person concerned no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as a member of the diplomatic staff of the Embassy,” the Nigerien foreign ministry said in communique to the French foreign ministry.

“The police services are ordered to proceed with his expulsion.”

The escalation came two days after soldiers in Gabon overthrew the 50-year reign of the Bongo family dynasty in that oil-rich country — the eighth coup in the West and Central African region since 2020.

There was no immediate comment from French authorities on Thursday’s order in Niger. Macron said last week France’s policy “depends on the courage of President Mohamed Bazoum, the commitment of our diplomats, of our ambassador on the ground.”

On Aug. 25, Tchiani’s foreign ministry gave Itte 48 hours to leave the country, but France rejected the order. 

"France has taken note of the putschists' request," the French foreign ministry said then. 

"The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador's approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities."

Bazoum is being held prisoner by the military junta, which has threatened to try him for treason. Niger’s West African neighbors have threatened military action if democracy isn’t restored.