In a speech to a gathering of French Ambassadors in Paris on Monday, August 28, 2023, President of France, Emmanuel Macron insisted that his country would not change its position in condemning the coup in Niger and offering support to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Macron stressed that Bazoum had been democratically elected and added that France would support any military action by The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger.
Macron also stated that France’s Ambassador to Niger will continue to stay in the African country despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave the country.
“Our policy is the right one. It depends on the courage of President Mohamed Bazoum, the commitment of our diplomats, of our Ambassador on the ground who is remaining despite pressure, despite all the declarations made by the illegitimate authorities.”
Emmanuel Macron
Bazoum was overthrown in a coup on July 26, 2023, and has since been in detention along with his family at the presidential palace. France and most West African countries have condemned the coup.
During his speech, Macron confirmed that French Ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte was listening in from Niger’s capital, Niamey.
“France and its diplomats have faced particularly difficult situations in some countries in recent months, from Sudan, where France has been exemplary, to Niger at this very moment and I applaud your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their posts.”
Emmanuel Macron
Citing that Itte had refused to meet with the new rulers and French government actions that were “contrary to the interests of Niger,” Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday, August 25, 2023, that French Ambassador had 48 hours to leave the country.
In addition, The French President averred, “One shouldn’t give in to the narrative used by the coup leaders that consists of saying France has become our enemy.”
“The problem of Nigeriens today is the coup leaders who put them in danger because they are abandoning the fight against terrorism, because they are abandoning a policy that was economically good for (the population) and they are in the process of losing international funding that was helping them emerge from poverty.”
Emmanuel Macron
Macron Calls For Reinforcement In Diplomatic Efforts
Moreover, in his speech, Macron urged for the bolstering of France’s diplomatic efforts as the international community faces new challenges.
He noted that France needs to consolidate its diplomatic strategies as the international context was becoming more “complex.”
The world order is changing, with the situation getting “tougher” and “more complicated”, Macron averred, adding that this runs the risk of “weakening the West and our Europe in particular.”
“Our international order is being challenged. War has returned to European soil, anti-French sentiment is rife, fuelled by anti-colonialism or a perceived anti-colonialism that a double standard is being employed.”
Emmanuel Macron
“We need to be clear, without being excessively pessimistic,” he said, citing the rise of “new forms of protectionism” and democratic backsliding due to a rise in illiberal powers.
Macron said France’s diplomatic efforts should focus on security policy pertaining to the ongoing war in Ukraine and in reinforcing European independence and strategic interests.
“Our diplomatic efforts should keep it simple. We should protect our interests. We should also stand for our principles and our values, which are universal.”
Emmanuel Macron
Furthermore, Macron emphasized the need to “avoid partitioning the world” over the war in Ukraine. We must “avoid a narrative that claims, ‘this is Europe’s war, it doesn’t concern us’”, he said.
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