French ambassador to Niger leaves after weeks of tension

NIAMEY, Niger

France's ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, has left the capital Niamey early Wednesday morning, the French presidency said.

"The ambassador and six colleagues left Niamey around 4 a.m. (0300 GMT)," a diplomatic source from the French embassy was quoted as saying by the French news agency AFP. Nigerien sources earlier confirmed the departure of the official.

Itte's departure follows the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday that he would recall the ambassador from Niger.

Niger's military junta had ordered Itte's expulsion soon after seizing power in a coup on July 26. The country's leaders reiterated the order in August, setting a 48-hour ultimatum for Itte to leave.

But France ignored the requests, as the country does not recognize the legitimacy of Niger's military government. The EU backed France in its refusal to bring back its ambassador.

The decision sparked daily protests in front of the embassy, along with thousands rallying across the capital to demand the withdrawal of French troops.

After ordering Itte's expulsion, Niger's junta stripped him of his diplomatic immunity and his visa, prompting comments from French President Macron that Itte and his staff were "literally being held hostage" at the embassy.

Macron said Niger's military was also blocking food deliveries to the building and that Itte was living off "military rations."

Despite the pressure from the junta, Macron had insisted on negotiating any deal to withdraw both the ambassador and France's troops with Niger's ousted President Bazoum.