France plans to close embassy in Niger

(Patria) - France plans to close its embassy in Niger indefinitely because it is unable to perform diplomatic tasks due to restrictions imposed by the ruling junta, showed a letter from the French embassy to its staff in Niger on Tuesday, which Reuters saw on Thursday.

Relations between Niger and France, its former colonial ruler, have been severed since military officers overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and took power in a coup in July.

Following the strategy of the juntas in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, they ordered the police to expel French Ambassador Sylvain Itté and called for the withdrawal of French troops from its territory.

France initially ignored the order, but a month later President Emmanuel Macron announced that the ambassador would return to Paris and that French troops would leave.

According to the document, published on social media, Nigerian authorities have not responded positively to the embassy's request to operate under regular conditions after the coup.

French officials neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the document when contacted by Reuters. However, they said that the situation at the embassy has become difficult since the summer due to restrictions that increasingly hinder its operations.