Niger's Military Administration Expels Diplomats: German, US, and Nigerian Ambassadors Given 48 Hours to Depart
Diplomatic Expulsions: Niger's Military Administration Orders Departure of German, US, and Nigerian Ambassadors
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In a significant move with potential international implications, Niger's military administration delivered an ultimatum on Friday, demanding the departure of several foreign ambassadors within 48 hours. The affected diplomats include those from Germany, the United States, and Nigeria.
According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the action against German Ambassador Olivier Schnakenberg was taken due to his failure to respond to a ministry invitation for discussions scheduled on August 25 at 11:00 a.m. Moreover, the statement cited actions by the German government that were deemed contrary to Niger's interests. Consequently, Olivier Schnakenberg was instructed to leave the Nigerien territory.
Similar actions were taken against the Nigerian Ambassador, Mohamed Usman, for not acknowledging an invitation for discussions scheduled at 11:30 a.m. on the same day. The ministry's statement highlighted actions by the Nigerian government that were perceived as conflicting with Niger's interests, leading to the 48-hour eviction notice for Mohamed Usman.
The new US Ambassador to Niger, Kathleen Fitzgibbons, who recently arrived in Niamey, was also given a 48-hour window to depart. The decision against Ambassador Fitzgibbons stemmed from allegations of her failure to attend a discussion as per the ministry's invitation.
The US State Department had earlier stated that Ambassador FitzGibbon's role was to lead a diplomatic mission aimed at contributing to the resolution of the ongoing political crisis in Niger.
Notably, this series of diplomatic expulsions comes after Niger's military administration had already ordered the French ambassador to leave the country within a similar timeframe. This diplomatic tension arose after the French Foreign Minister expressed solidarity with Nigerien Ambassador Aichatou Boulama Kane in Paris, who had chosen to remain in her position following the military intervention that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. The intervention, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, had plunged Niger into a state of turmoil.
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