UPDATE - France's ambassador in Niger remains at post despite pressure: French president

CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK; ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM MACRON

By Nur Asena Erturk

France's policy on Niger is based on the courage of its envoy, who remains at his post despite pressure, the French president said Monday, days after France's ambassador was given 48 hours to leave the West African country.

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.

Macron also expressed support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) diplomatic efforts and possible military steps, if they decide on that path.

He denounced, in this context, an "epidemic of putsches" in Africa's sub-Saharan Sahel region, referring to the coups in Mali and in Burkina Faso, and said he was opposed to "any weakness of France" in this region, also calling for neighboring states to act responsibly in those circumstances.

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.

- Ukraine

Macron also once again stressed that Russia must not win the war in Ukraine, adding that Paris must prepare a durable peace and for the aftermath of the conflict, now 18 months old.

He gave assurances that France would continue humanitarian efforts to support Ukraine.

- Nuclear energy

The French president also underlined Europe's "strategic autonomy," saying that it requires a "well-defined energy policy" aiming for more independence, decarbonization, and creating employment and industry in Europe.

"This requires more renewables, more nuclear, and more electric integration in Europe," Macron added. "We do not all agree on this agenda ... More carbon is not good for this agenda. More fossil dependence is not good for this agenda."

The president stressed that he stands for the free movement of low-carbon electrons in Europe, and admitted that France does not agree with Germany on certain topics.

"It is a concern and it would be a historic mistake to deprive ourselves of the nuclear or to slow down nuclear and nuclear innovation investments in Europe," he added.

"Our priority should not be to diverge on different energy models but on the contrary, to strengthen the European electricity network integration – which is absolutely necessary since we will have to electrify more."