Niger Junta Gives German, Nigerian Ambassadors, 48-Hr Deadline To Leave Country [PHOTO/TRANSLATION]

The Niger Republic junta has reportedly given the ambassadors of Germany and Nigeria 48 hours to exit the crisis-ridden country.

According to the foreign ministry, the country asked Germany to leave due to “the refusal of the German ambassador in Niamey to respond to an invitation” from the ministry for a meeting Friday and “other actions of the German government contrary to the interests of Niger”.

Reports had it that the coup leaders asked Itte to leave their country after the ambassador “refused to respond to an invitation” for a Friday meeting.

The military rulers accuse France of wanting to use military force to reinstate the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, and claim that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is under French influence.

France currently has about 1,500 troops in Niger to help combat jihadist groups affecting the country and the broader Sahel region.

Recall that ECOWAS had threatened to invade the country if military coup leaders failed to return authority in the country to Bazoum who is currently being detained.

See translation below;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Niger presents its compliments to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and has the honor to inform it that in reaction to the refusal of the Ambassador of Nigeria in Niamey to respond to the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, for an interview on Friday August 25, 2023 at 11:30 a.m., and other actions of the Nigerian Government, contrary to the interests of the Niger, the competent Nigerien authorities have decided to withdraw their approval from Mr. Mohamed Usman and to ask him to leave Nigerien territory within forty-eight hours (48h).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Niger avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the assurances of its highest consideration.