France Embassy closed in Niger as diplomatic row deepens: summary

What we know

• France has officially closed its embassy in West African country Niger over recent strained relations between both countries. All staff from Niger working at the embassy have also since been dismissed
• This follows the withdrawal of French troops from the country per the request of Nigerien military authorities, with the final troops leaving on December 22.
• In July this year, the French embassy was attacked by supporters of the military junta who set fire to some portions of the embassy.
• The French Ambassador Sylvain Itté had earlier been expelled by the government in August but remained as a diplomat for close to a month before leaving the country.
• In neighbouring countries Mali and Burkina Faso also, a similar trend has happened where military troops for the respective countries have been withdrawn, French has been replaced with local languages as the official language among other things.

What they said

The French embassy attributed the closure to its inability to function normally or fulfil its missions due to restrictions imposed by the ruling military government. “After the attack on our embassy last July 30, and after the establishment of a blockade around our premises by the Nigerien forces, we had, at the end of September, evacuated most of our diplomatic staff. The French Embassy in Niger is therefore no longer able to function normally or carry out its missions. Acknowledging this situation, we have decided to close our embassy soon and, in this context, proceed with the dismissal and compensation of our local staff," Africanews quoted diplomatic sources in France.