…affirms support for Niger’s Ousted President Amidst Coup Pressure

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France’s ambassador to Niger will stay in the country despite pressure from the leaders of the recent coup.

Macron made the announcement in a speech to diplomats on Monday, in which he also reiterated France’s support to Niger’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.

“I think our policy is the right one,” said Macron. “It’s based on the courage of President Bazoum, and on the commitments of our ambassador on the ground who is remaining despite all the pressure, despite all the declarations made by the illegitimate authorities.”

It would be recalled that, the Nigerien junta, which seized power in a coup on July 26, had ordered French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.

Macron also dismissed calls from some in the United States and Europe for Western powers to give up on Bazoum.

“We do not recognise those who have carried out the putsch, we support a president who has not stepped down, and besides whom we remain engaged,” said Macron.

The main West African bloc ECOWAS has been trying to negotiate with the leaders of the Niger coup, and has said it is ready to deploy troops to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts fail.

The coup is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa, following coups in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso in recent months while the region is facing a growing security threat from armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.