Media: France-Niger relations reached stage of complete rupture

A complete rupture of diplomatic relations has been observed between Paris and Niamey since the military came to power in Niger; the West African country is pursuing the toughest policy towards France among the members of the Sahel Alliance, according to the Jeune Afrique magazine citing a European diplomatic source,  reported from TASS. 

"Of the three Sahel countries where the military came to power, Niger is making the most radical decisions. At the diplomatic level, there has been a complete rupture of relations between Niamey and Paris," the source told the magazine. 

In addition to the closure of the French embassy in Niger, the French school in Niamey has also ceased operations. In addition, France has refused to jointly manage the French Institute in Niger, which was "a symbol of Paris's cultural soft power" in the country. 

According to the magazine's estimates, there were about 600 French citizens living in Niger at the time of the military coup in July 2023, most of whom left the country, and the French embassy is "only a shadow of itself." 

All consular services have been suspended. It is noted that residents of Niger have to apply for a Schengen visa at the Spanish consulate, while there are quotas for tourist and business visas. At the same time, the French who remain in Niger are forced to resolve administrative issues online or go to the French embassies in neighboring countries. 

Niamey has stripped Niger's ambassador to France Aichatou Boulama Kane, who spoke out against the military mutiny, of her powers, but has not appointed a new diplomat in her place. In September 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision to recall his ambassador Sylvain Itté and the staff of the embassy in Niamey against the backdrop of the military coming to power as a result of the mutiny. 

A few days later, Itte left the capital of Niger. In early January 2024, the French Foreign Ministry announced the closure of the embassy in Niamey until further notice.

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