According to a statement from Niger’s foreign ministry, the military authorities who seized control of Niamey on July 26 have instructed the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, to depart the Niger Republic within 48 hours.
The ambassador “refused to respond to an invitation” for a meeting on Friday, and the decision was made in response to French government measures that were “contrary to the interests of Niger.”
The expulsion comes after a rise in anti-French sentiment following the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family by the Nigerien army.
The military leaders assert that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is influenced by France and that France wants to use military force to restore Bazoum.
In order to restore constitutional order, ECOWAS has imposed severe economic penalties on Niger and issued a warning about probable military intervention.
Currently, France deploys roughly 1,500 troops in Niger to assist in the fight against jihadist organizations that impact both the nation and the larger Sahel region.