Can only nibble on "military rations", Macron: The French ambassador is "taken hostage"
On September 16th, according to Agence France Presse, on the 15th local time, French President Macron stated that the French ambassador to Niger is being "taken hostage" by the Nigerian military, who is preventing France from "transporting food" to the embassy. Currently, the ambassador cannot leave the embassy and can only nibble on "military rations", as if being "kidnapped".
Macron also stated that French Ambassador to Niger, Silvan Itay, "cannot go out. He is an unwelcome person. In addition, he has been refused food and can only eat military rations now.".
The Niger military government ordered Itai to leave the country within 48 hours on August 25th, but later revoked his visa and instructed the police to expel him. However, this move was refused by the French side. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that "the Nigerian military government has no right to make this request, and the ambassador's approval only comes from the legally elected Nigerian authorities.".
When asked if he would make efforts to bring the ambassador back to his home country, Macron emphasized, "I will do anything we reach an agreement with Niger's President Bazum, because he is a legitimate government recognized by the French side, and I talk to him every day."
French Foreign Minister Cologne later added in a media interview that the French ambassador is still working normally, and whether he will return to his home country depends on Macron's decision. "As long as Paris hopes, he will always stick to his position. His network and team are very useful to us, and there is also a small team around him."
There is currently no response from the Niger military government regarding this matter.
On July 26th, some soldiers of the Niger Presidential Guard detained President Bazum. Late that night, representatives of the coup soldiers announced on Niger's national television the establishment of the National Committee for the Defense of the Motherland, lifting President Bazum's authority and allowing the military regime to take over national affairs.
According to reports, the United States, France, Germany, and Italy are stationed in Niger to combat the local branches of Al Qaeda and ISIS. France has deployed 1500 officers and soldiers in Niger. On August 3rd, Niger announced the abolition of all military cooperation agreements between the two countries and requested that the French military stationed in Niger withdraw no later than September 3rd, but was rejected by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.