France's policy on Niger is based on envoy's commitment in face of pressure: French president

By Nur Asena Erturk

France's policy on Niger is based on the courage of its envoy, who remains in the field despite pressure, the French president said Monday.

Speaking with ambassadors in a meeting at Elysee Palace, Emmanuel Macron again rejected the military administration in Niger and expressed support for his ousted Nigerien counterpart Mohamed Bazoum.

He admitted French diplomats have been facing difficult situations in recent months, and hailed Bazoum for his "courage."

"I believe our policy is right," Macron said. "It is based on President Bazoum's courage, and the commitment of our diplomats and our ambassador who remains in the field despite all the pressure."

Rejecting the military taking power last month, Macron added that "putschists are Nigeriens' real problem," saying they gave up on the fight against terrorism and abandoned work on economic policy, which could have attracted international investments and taken Nigeria out of poverty.

Amid tensions that have risen in the weeks following the ouster of the West African nation's democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the military administration's Foreign Ministry on Friday gave French Ambassador Sylvain Itte 48 hours to "leave Nigerien territory."

Niger was plunged into uncertainty on July 26 when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, led a military intervention that ousted President Bazoum.

France launched an operation earlier this month to evacuate its citizens as well as other nationals from Niamey.​​​​​​​