Macron says that the French ambassador to Niger is a hostage

CNN
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The French ambassador to Niger and other French diplomats are “literally being held hostage in the French embassy,” according to the French president. Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Côte d’Or region in France on Friday, Macron said that “food was prevented from being delivered” to the embassy in Niamey, and that the ambassador was “eating military rations.”

Macron also said that Ambassador Sylvain Etty “cannot go out, he is persona non grata and food is being withheld from him.”

after Seize control In the West African country in July, the junta ordered Etty to leave the country. She later canceled his visa and ordered the police to expel him.

But the diplomat remained in place, according to the French presidency, with the French authorities confirming that they do not recognize the authority of the military council.

In response to a question about whether he would work to return the ambassador to his country, Macron emphasized the authority of deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum: “I will do everything we agree on with President Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority and I speak to him every day.”

Etty is still operating, according to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

“The ambassador is working, I can confirm that, and he is very helpful through his contacts and his team, and there is still a small team with him,” Colonna said in an interview with French TV channel LCI.

Colonna added that Ete “will stay as long as we want him to stay,” and that his return is Macron’s decision.