Title: “French Ambassador Sylvain Itté leaves Niger: end of a diplomatic standoff”
Introduction :
In an official statement, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the return of the French Ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itté, to Paris this Wednesday, September 27. His departure follows several weeks of diplomatic tensions between Paris and the junta in power in Niamey. This article reviews the events leading to this outcome and the consequences of this crisis on Franco-Nigerian relations.
The refusal to give in to the junta’s ultimatum:
The conflict between France and the Nigerien military junta began at the end of August, when the putschists declared Sylvain Itté persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 48 hours. The reason given was the ambassador’s refusal to respond to the invitation from the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an interview. France, not recognizing the military regime, categorically refused to give in to this ultimatum.
The entrenched life of the ambassador:
Deprived of his diplomatic immunity and his visa, Sylvain Itté found himself in a situation of virtual blockade within the French embassy in Niamey. For almost a month, accompanied by six members of his team, he was under constant surveillance by the Nigerien military. This situation led French President Emmanuel Macron to describe the ambassador as a “hostage”, highlighting the difficult living conditions and lack of supplies he faced.
The return to France :
After several weeks of tension, Sylvain Itté finally left Niamey, accompanied by a secure convoy made up of French special forces and Nigerien gendarmes. He then made a stopover in Ndjamena, the Chadian capital, before heading to Paris where he landed in the afternoon. On his arrival, he was received by Catherine Colonna, the head of French diplomacy, who thanked him for his action and that of his team in difficult conditions.
The consequences of the crisis on Franco-Nigerian relations:
This diplomatic crisis has exacerbated tensions between France and Niger. Emmanuel Macron announced that the 1,500 French soldiers deployed in Niamey would leave Nigerien soil by the end of the year, a sign of a desire to break with the ruling junta. The consequences of this crisis on bilateral relations remain to be assessed, but it is clear that this situation marked a turning point in relations between the two countries.
Conclusion :
The departure of Ambassador Sylvain Itté from Niger puts an end to a period of diplomatic tensions between France and the Nigerien military junta. While this standoff has highlighted the difficulties encountered by the ambassador and his team, it remains to be seen what repercussions this crisis will have on Franco-Nigerian relations in the months to come.