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Military leaders give French ambassador 48 hours ultimatum to leave Niger

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The military leaders that took control of Niamey on July 26 have given the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, according to a statement issued on Friday by the nation’s foreign affairs ministry.

Sylvain Itte’s approval has been revoked, and the authorities have ordered him to leave within 48 hours, according to the statement. This is because of “other actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger” and “the refusal of the French ambassador in Niamey to respond to an invitation” from the minister for a meeting on Friday.

This decision follows a series of anti-French sentiments and demonstrations that have occurred since the Nigerien army removed President Mohamed Bazoum, who is now being kept in custody along with his family.

The military officials claim that Paris wants to militarily intervene in Niger in order to reinstate Bazoum and that France, a former regional colonial power, has a hand in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

After the coup, ECOWAS vowed to use armed force to reinstate the rule of law and imposed harsh economic sanctions on Niger.

France has some 1,500 troops stationed in Niger and the greater Sahel region to assist in the fight against Islamist organizations, which have long been a threat there.

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