Niger coup: French ambassador will stay despite expulsion order, Macron says

Despite an order from Niger’s junta for the French ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours, French President Emmanuel Macron has said they will stay.

The French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, will “stay despite pressure and despite illegal claims of authority,” Macron said.

On France’s “policy,” Macros said, “We do not recognize coup leaders, we support the president ,who has not resigned, and we are committed to standing by his side.”

Niger’s junta, which seized power in a coup on July 26, ordered the exit on Friday, as relations between Niger and France — its former colonial ruler — deteriorate.