Sylvain Itté, the French Ambassador to Niger, who was recently expelled by the country's military council, expressed his "exhaustion" on Thursday after two months of "intense tension" and weeks of isolation within the premises of his embassy in Niamey. He emphasized that the aim of the action taken against him was an attempt to "break" him.
Returning to France on Wednesday, the diplomat described the coup in Niger as a "massive chaos where only losers exist," during an interview with "TF1" station.
Itté stressed, "This coup is primarily and fundamentally a domestic Nigerien issue between a president determined to combat corruption and a group of generals who do not wish to see this anti-corruption battle come to fruition."
Following a military decision made in late August, the French diplomat was to be immediately expelled from the country as soon as he left the embassy premises.
Initially, France decided not to comply with this expulsion order, stating it only recognized the legitimate government led by President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in the coup.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron decided last Sunday to recall his ambassador to France and announced the withdrawal of 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger by the end of the year.
Ambassador Itté revealed that Nigerien companies supplying the embassy were "bent, even threatened" by the new authority, resulting in their halt of services.
He asserted, "It is quite clear that the objective was to make me break and consequently force me out." Despite expressing his feelings of "exhaustion after two months of extreme tension," Itté confirmed he remains "ready to continue" his duty.
The international community watches closely as the situation in Niger unfolds, with diplomatic relations and regional stability at stake.
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