Niger Junta Arrests French Official After France Refuse to Leave Country - Paris Pleads For Release

Niger Junta Arrests French Official After France Refuse to Leave Country - On Tuesday, September 12th, 2023, France’s Foreign Ministry announced on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that a French official had been detained in military-run Niger. The ministry announced that Stephane Jullien, counsellor for French citizens abroad — a non-diplomatic, elected post — was arrested on Friday, September 8th, 2023 by Nigerien security forces and called for his “immediate release.” The Foreign Ministry did not comment on where and how Jullien was detained, or whether officials in Paris were aware of his whereabouts. It merely stated that France was closely monitoring the issue and was "fully mobilised" to ensure that he had the same protections as any other official in other countries.
The arrest of Mr Stephane Jullien comes after military troops ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from power in July 2023 and ordered all French officials to leave the country. The Nigerien Foreign Ministry asked French Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave Niger within 48 hours in a letter dated August 25, 2023, that accused him of neglecting an invitation to meet with the ministry. The letter also referred to "actions of the French government that are contrary to the interests of Niger." However, France has brazenly refused to comply with the order to leave the country, claiming that Niger's ruling junta is not the country's legitimate government and as such, has no right to order it out.