Africa
Niger Junta orders Nigerian Ambassador to leave country in 48
The military junta in Niger has expelled the Nigerian ambassador, Mohamed Usman, from the country.
The military leader of the country also ordered the German Ambassador, Olivier Schnakenberg, to leave.
In a statement released on Friday, Niger’s foreign ministry stated that “in reaction to Nigerian Ambassador Mohamed Usman’s refusal to reply to an invitation by the ministry for a discussion on Friday, August 25 at 11.30 a.m., and due to other actions of the Nigerian government contrary to Niger’s interests, the ministry is giving Mr. Mohamed Usman 48 hours to leave the Nigerien territory.”
The Junta gave the same reason for the expulsion of the German Ambassador to Niger.
“In reaction to German Ambassador Olivier Schnakenberg’s refusal to reply to an invitation by the ministry for a discussion on Friday, August 25 at 11 a.m., and due to other actions of the German government contrary to Niger’s interests, the ministry is giving Mr. Olivier Schnakenberg 48 hours to leave the Nigerien territory,” it said in a separate statement.
This comes on the heels of peace talks initiated by ECOWAS to peacefully resolve the situation in Niger.
President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), met with some Islamic clerics (Ulama) to be dispatched to Niger for continuing negotiations with the coup leaders as the standoff continues, heightening a possible military intervention to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Also affected by the expulsion order of Niger’s military administration is the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, who was also given 48 hours to leave the country.
