French President Emmanuel Macron has disclosed that the ambassador of France to Niger and his team are enduring conditions akin to being hostages within the embassy.
Macron stated that the envoy Sylvain Itte continues to remain unwelcome, accusing the Niger junta of impeding food supplies to the consulate where the diplomatic staff reside in dire conditions.
“As we speak, we have an ambassador and diplomatic staff who are literally being held hostage in the French embassy,” Macron told reporters during a visit to Burgundy.
“They are preventing food deliveries. He is eating military rations,” he added.
When asked about the possibility of bringing Itte back to France, Macron responded, “I will do whatever we agree with President Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority, and I speak with him every day.”
The military junta, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, had instructed Itte to depart the country promptly. However, despite the lapse of the 48-hour ultimatum, the French government refused to comply with the demands and recognize the legitimacy of the military regime.
Macron has consistently rebuffed calls to recall the French ambassador, a position supported by the EU, which has labeled the demand as a “provocation.”
Similar to France, the EU does not recognize the authorities that seized power in Niger, as stated by EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Nabila Massrali last month.
According to Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, the ambassador “is working” in the consulate and will remain at his post as long as his country requires his presence.
“He is very useful for us with his contacts and those of his team,” Colonna was quoted as saying by French media reports.
On July 26, Bazoum was ousted when members of his guard detained him at the presidency. Following the military junta’s seizure of power, General Abdourahamane Tiani was installed as the new head of state.
The ECOWAS West African bloc has been attempting to negotiate with the junta, but their efforts have been futile.
