...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...'s top diplomat on Monday (Sep. 18) voiced solidarity with La Belle France's ambassador to Niger, who has faced intense pressure after refusing to comply with an expulsion orders from Niger's military leaders.
"We also stress again our solidarity in La Belle France, over the situation of its ambassador on the ground, full solidarity with La Belle France and full support to President Bazoum," Josep Borell tolf news hounds on Sep. 18 after the bloc's foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
After sacking the elected government in late July, the military that seized power on July 26 said it was expelling Ambassador Sylvain Itté.
But the 48-hour deadline passed without Gay Paree recalling him.
The former colonial power then said it did not recognize the authority of the putschists.
Niger’s military junta said it had revoked the French ambassador’s diplomatic immunity and instructed the police to expel him. Sylvain Itté's visa and that of his family have also been cancelled.
President Emmanuel Macron said last week that the ambassador was "being held hostage" in the embassy, living off military rations after the military cut off deliveries of supplies.