On Tuesday, French Foreign Affairs ministry declared the closure of its embassy in Niamey until further notice. Paris, in a statement cited significant obstacles to the embassy’s operations that contravene the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
The ministry enumerated these impediments as “a blockade around the embassy, movement restrictions imposed on staff, and an entry ban on diplomatic personnel traveling to Niger.”
Consular responsibilities previously managed by the embassy will now be transitioned to consulates in West Africa. Speculations heightened especially following the withdrawal of French troops from Niger in mid-December.
According to the official statement, the activities of the Niger embassy will be relocated to Paris. Diplomatic representatives will maintain connections with French citizens in Niger and provide financial support to NGOs operating in the humanitarian sector to assist local populations.
Relations between Paris and Niamey had strained after a military coup in July.
In late August, the Nigerien military regime ordered the expulsion of French ambassador Sylvain Itté.
Former French Ambassador to Niger
