Niger terminates electricity, water supplies to French embassy as relations worsen
Reports from the Republic of Niger indicated that the military junta has cut off water and electricity to the French embassy in Niamey, the capital with no food deliveries allowed.
The government has also taken similar measures at the French consulate in Zinder.
A Turkish news agency quoted sources who said the president of the National Support Committee for the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country (CNSP), Elh Issa Hassoumi Boureima, has instructed all partners of French bases in Niger to cease all water, energy, and food supply.
It added that anyone who continues to help the French in the process of supplying the goods and services will be considered “enemies of the sovereign people.”
Over the weekend, the junta that took control in Niger in a coup on July 26 has ordered the French ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours, as relations between the West African country and its former colonial ruler continue to deteriorate.
France has demanded that President Mohamed Bazoum be reinstated and has stated that it will assist attempts by the West African regional body ECOWAS to overthrow the coup.
These positions have infuriated the Abdourahmane Tchiani-led junta.
While responding to the expulsion order, the French foreign ministry said the coup leaders do not have the authority to remove its diplomat, saying the ambassador’s approval came solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities.
