Macron: The military in Niger detain the French ambassador

RT - INA

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the military in Niger are detaining the French ambassador, noting that the food that the detained ambassador is eating is military rations.

Macron said today, Friday, during his visit to the Saumur-en-Auxois region in central-eastern France: “In Niger, as I am speaking to you, we have an ambassador and diplomatic staff who have been taken hostage in the French embassy.”

Macron added, "The military who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 are withholding food from the embassy staff," and pointed out that the ambassador "is eating military rations.".

It is noteworthy that a court in Niger had previously ordered the expulsion of French Ambassador Sylvain Etty from the country, based on a petition submitted by the ruling military junta and in support of its decision in this regard.

The French authorities reject requests for the withdrawal of its forces and diplomats from Niger, considering that the current ruling military junta is an “illegitimate authority.”.

On July 27, soldiers in the Nigerien army announced the dismissal of the country’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, and his detention in his residence, the closure of the borders, and the imposition of a curfew in the country. They said that they had moved to put an end to the deteriorating economic and security situation in Niger.