French official held captive for 5 days by Niger’s junta released
A French official detained in Niger final week has been released, the French authorities mentioned Thursday. The arrest heightened tensions between France and Niger, the place navy officers deposed an elected president final month and ordered French officers to depart.
France’s Foreign Ministry mentioned in an announcement that Stephane Jullien, counselor for French residents overseas, was released Wednesday, 5 days after he was arrested. It did not present particulars in regards to the launch, or in regards to the cause for his arrest. The French authorities had urged his liberation.
Military officers in Niger overthrew and detained elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July and final month ordered the French ambassador to depart the nation. France, Niger’s former colonial ruler, has refused to heed the order, saying that the junta is not the nation’s respectable authority.
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Stephane Jullien, a French counselor who was detained in Niger for 5 days, has been released. (Fox News)
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French Ambassador Sylvain Itte was requested to depart Niger in a letter from the Nigerien Foreign Ministry that accused him of ignoring an invite for a gathering with the ministry. The letter additionally cited “actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger.”
Nearly 1,500 French troops are based mostly in Niger to assist local forces fight Islamic extremists. However, the navy cooperation has been suspended because the coup, whose leaders claimed that Bazoum’s authorities wasn’t doing sufficient to guard the nation from the insurgency.
The junta is now below sanctions by Western and regional African powers.