Niger's military junta has taken a significant step in its ongoing standoff with France by revoking the diplomatic immunity of the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, and ordering his expulsion from the West African nation. This move comes as part of the junta's strategy to consolidate power since they ousted Niger's president over a month ago.
Last week, the mutinous soldiers who seized control of Niger issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Ambassador Itte to leave the country. However, despite the deadline expiring on August 28, France has not complied with the demand. The French government has firmly maintained that it does not recognize the coup-plotters as the legitimate leaders of Niger. Anne-Claire Legendre, a spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, reiterated on Thursday that Ambassador Itte remains in his post despite the expulsion threats.
A communique released by Niger's Ministry of Foreign Affairs this week stated that Ambassador Itte "no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as a member of the diplomatic staff of the embassy." Furthermore, the document revealed that diplomatic cards and visas for the ambassador's family have been canceled.
President Emmanuel Macron of France had previously declared that Ambassador Itte would continue in his role. Macron has been vocal in condemning the coup leaders while emphasizing that France, once Niger's colonial ruler, does not view the country as an enemy.
The junta, which came to power by toppling the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, has capitalized on anti-French sentiment among the population to bolster its support. "Down with France" chants have become a common occurrence at rallies in the capital, Niamey, and occasionally outside a French military base in the city.
France has a substantial military presence in Niger, with approximately 1,500 troops collaborating with Nigerien security forces to combat a growing jihadi insurgency associated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. These operations have ceased since the coup, leading to an uptick in jihadi attacks. Just this month, insurgents carried out a major attack, killing 17 soldiers and injuring nearly 24 others, marking the first significant assault against the Nigerien army in six months.
Regional tensions have also been escalating as the junta disregards calls from other West African nations to release and reinstate President Bazoum, even in the face of potential military intervention. ECOWAS, the regional bloc, has deployed a "standby" force with the mission of restoring constitutional rule in Niger. However, this force has not yet entered the country, and ECOWAS maintains that dialogue remains an option but is not indefinite.
The junta has formed a new government and announced its intention to return Niger to a constitutional government system within three years, a timeline that ECOWAS has rejected.
The expulsion of the French ambassador and the revocation of his diplomatic immunity have placed France in a complex position. France has expressed its willingness to support ECOWAS in reestablishing a legitimate government in Niger while also needing to safeguard its diplomatic personnel.
Mucahid Durmaz, a senior analyst at the global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, suggests that if Paris were to recognize the military authority in Niger, it could potentially mitigate the reputational damage France faces in its former African colonies. However, he believes it is unlikely that France would use the junta's actions against the ambassador as a pretext for a military intervention with ECOWAS troops. The potential catastrophic consequences of a regional conflict, combined with already heightened anti-French sentiment in the region, make such a move unlikely, according to Durmaz.