French President, Emmanuel Macron has revealed that the country’s envoy to Niger and his staff are “literally” living like hostages in the embassy.
Macron said envoy Sylvain Itte remains persona non grata while accusing the Niger junta of blocking food deliveries to the consulate where the diplomatic staff is living in miserable conditions.
“As we speak, we have an ambassador and diplomatic staff who are literally being held hostage in the French embassy,” Macron told reporters during a visit to Burgundy.
“They are preventing food deliveries. He is eating military rations,” he added.
Asked if his government was planning to bring Itte back home, Macron said: “I will do whatever we agree with President Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority and I speak with him every day.”
The military junta, who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, had told Itte that he was to leave the country as soon as possible. However, even after the 48-hour ultimatum lapsed, the French…
Source: Linda Ikeji
