The Federal Government has clarified that it has nothing against Nigeriens. Its beef and sanctions are directed at the group of soldiers who overthrew the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, it said on Monday.
According to Presidential spokesmen, Ajuri Ngelale, the sanctions against the administration was not targeted at the people of Niger, but the coupists.
Recall that there have been reports of hardship in Niger following the closure of that country’s borders with Nigeria. Nigeria also cut off power supply to the embattled country, in what many believe was an unwise move that would affect many innocent citizens of the Francophone country.
The Federal Government insisted on Monday its actions were based on the decision by the ECOWAS, which Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, heads
Ngelale’s clarification comes as the Nigerien government denied that it expelled the ambassadors of Nigeria, the United States, and Germany from Niger Republic.
In a statement in Niamey, Niger, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Co-operation, and Nigeriens Abroad clarified that it solely granted a 48-hour ultimatum to the French envoy in Niger, Ambassador Sylvain Itte, to depart from the country.
“Contrary to the information distilled and purpose on social networks which report a decision by the Nigerien authorities ordering the Ambassadors of Germany, Nigeria and the United States of America to leave Nigerien territory within 48 hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad specifies that the said information is false and that only the Ambassador of France in Niger is declared persona non grata.”
The Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad reiterated that those who were skeptical and questioning the nation’s sovereign decision should understand that Niger did not require authorization or an interpretation of the Vienna Convention of 1961 to exercise its authority.
The ministry asserted its prerogative to enforce the 48-hour ultimatum for Ambassador Sylvain Itte to depart from the country.
