Niger Officially Clarifies Its Stance on Expelling Diplomats

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Niger denied today, Saturday, that it had asked the ambassadors of the United States, Germany, and Nigeria to leave the country. The ministry stated: "We do not need permission from any party to exercise our right to implement the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations." It was noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Niger had indicated on Friday that "the military council that took power on July 26 asked French Ambassador Sylvain Ité to leave the country within 48 hours."