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French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed that the French envoy to Niger and his staff are living in what he described as “literal” hostage conditions at the embassy.
Macron stated that the envoy, Sylvain Itte, remains persona non grata while accusing the Niger junta of blocking food deliveries to the consulate where the diplomatic staff is enduring miserable 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 if his government plans to bring Itte back home, Macron stated, “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 overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, had ordered Itte to leave the country as soon as possible. However, even after the 48-hour ultimatum passed, the French government refused to comply and refused to recognize the military regime as legitimate.
Macron has steadfastly rejected calls to recall the French ambassador for weeks, a stance supported by the EU, which has described the demand as a “provocation.”
Like 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” at the consulate and will remain in his post as long as his country demands.
“He is very useful to us with his contacts and those of his team,” Colonna was quoted as saying in French media reports.
On July 26, Bazoum was overthrown when members of his guard detained him at the presidency. After the military junta seized power, General Abdourahamane Tiani was appointed as the new head of state.
The West African bloc, ECOWAS, has been attempting to negotiate with the junta but without success.
