French ambassador to Niger returns to Paris after weeks of tension
The Hindu
Paris: French ambassador to Niger returns after weeks of tensions; Macron announces withdrawal of French troops from Niger by end of year; U.S. to evaluate future steps on crisis.
France's ambassador to Niger landed in Paris on Wednesday, after weeks of tensions with the post-coup regime in the West African country who demanded his expulsion.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna met Sylvain Itte "to thank him and his teams for his work in the service of our country under difficult conditions," the ministry said in a written statement to AFP.
The return of the ambassador comes two months after a coup in Niger ousted its pro-Paris president and prompted a souring in relations between France and its former colony, with Niger's new rulers demanding his departure.
Itte left Niamey with six colleagues "around 4:00 am" (0300 GMT), a diplomatic source had earlier told AFP.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron had announced in a TV interview that the ambassador would leave "in the coming hours".
Niger's military leaders -- who overthrew the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 -- welcomed the announcement.
Born in the Malian capital Bamako in 1959, Itte had been in the post as ambassador to Niger for a year.
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