The hot news of the moment highlights the departure of the French ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itté. After weeks of tensions between Paris and the junta in power in Niamey, the ambassador was finally able to leave the country and land in Paris on September 27.
The departure of Sylvain Itté marks the end of a standoff between France and the Nigerien military regime. Last August, the coup plotters declared the ambassador persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours. Faced with this demand, France refused to give in because it does not recognize the military regime resulting from the coup d’état. Relations between Paris and the junta have therefore deteriorated considerably.
In this delicate situation, Sylvain Itté and six members of his team found themselves confined in the French embassy, which was closely monitored by the Nigerien military. Deprived of his diplomatic immunity and visa, the ambassador was virtually taken hostage, prevented from receiving food supplies.
Faced with this situation, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the imminent departure of the ambassador during a television interview. Finally, Sylvain Itté left Niamey on the night of September 26, accompanied by a large security force including French special forces and Nigerien gendarmes. He then made a stopover in Ndjamena before landing in Paris in the afternoon.
This departure marks a victory for France, which managed to bring back its ambassador safely. Emmanuel Macron also announced that the 1,500 French soldiers deployed in Niamey would leave Niger by the end of the year. This decision follows France’s desire not to recognize the military regime and to support a democratic political transition in Niger.
This new episode of French diplomacy in Niger once again shows the complexities of international relations and the challenges facing diplomats on the ground. The situation remains tense in Niger, with many political and economic issues to resolve. It will be interesting to follow the evolution of the situation in the coming months and to see how France can continue to play a role in stabilizing the country.
In conclusion, the departure of French Ambassador Sylvain Itté from Niger marks the end of a standoff between Paris and the military junta in power. This departure illustrates the challenges facing diplomats and highlights the importance of diplomacy in international relations.