President Macron Ensures the French Ambassador Remains in Niger Despite Pressure from the Military Junta

French President Emmanuel Macron. (Wikimedia Commons/Jacques Paquier)

JAKARTA - The French ambassador to Niger will remain in the country, despite pressure from the coup leader for him to leave, President Emmanuel Macron said Monday.

In addition, President Macron also reaffirmed his support for deposed president Mohamed Bazoum, whose decision not to resign was seen as a bold move by the French leader.

"I think our policy is the right policy. This is based on President Bazoum's courage, and on the commitment of our ambassadors on the ground who have persisted despite all the pressure, despite all the declarations made by unauthorized authorities," said the President Macron, quoted by Reuters on August 29.

On Friday, Niger's junta, which seized power in a coup on July 26, said it had ordered French Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.

On the other hand, President Macron also rejected calls from several parties in the United States and Europe, for Western countries to give up on President Bazoum.

"We do not recognize those who carried out the coup, we support the president who has not resigned, and apart from that we are still involved," he stressed.

As previously reported, President Macron emphasized that he fully supports the steps of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional order in Niger, including military intervention.

"We support diplomatic activities and, if decided, military activities of ECOWAS," he said as quoted by TASS.

ECOWAS is known to have attempted to negotiate with coup leaders in Niger, and said it was ready to deploy troops to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts failed.