French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he holds his annual foreign policy speech in front of French ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on Aug. 28.Teresa Suarez/The Associated Press
France’s ambassador to Niger will stay in the country despite pressure to leave from leaders of a recent coup, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech to diplomats on Monday.
Mr. Macron also reiterated France’s support to Niger’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, whose decision not to resign Mr. Macron called courageous.
“I think our policy is the right one. 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,” Mr. Macron said.
On Friday, Niger’s junta, which seized power in a coup on July 26, said it had ordered French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.
Mr. Macron also dismissed calls from some in the United States and Europe for Western powers to give up on Mr. 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 Mr. 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.