By Adesina Soyooye
The Military Junta in Niger Republic has denied the viral news that it has expelled Nigeria’s Ambassador, to the Country, Mohamed Usman.
On Friday, the news broke that Niger Republic’s Foreign Affairs Ministry had, in a release, ordered the expulsion of Usman alongside the Ambassadors of France, Germany, and USA. They were given 48 hours to leave the country.
In the case of Nigeria, the statement said: “In reaction to Nigerian Ambassador Mohamed Usman’s refusal to reply to an invitation by the ministry for a discussion on Friday August 25 at 11.30 a.m., and due to other actions of the Nigerian government contrary to Niger’s interests, the ministry is giving 48 hours to Mr. Mohamed Usman’s to leave the Nigerien territory.”
But on Saturday, the Country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a statement, dismissed the first memo as fake. It said it only expelled the French Ambassador.
The statement reads:
“Contrary to the information deliberately distilled 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, African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad specifies that the said information is false and that only the Ambassador of France in Niger is declared persona non grata.
“Also, the Ministry reminds those who are agitated and still doubt the expression of its sovereign will, that Niger does not need an authorization or an interpretation of the Vienna Convention of 1961, to exercise its prerogatives and have Ambassador Sylvain ITTE leave, after this 48-hour period ubur D Done in Niamey on August 25.”
Reports indicate the Junta was embarrassed by the news of the expulsions as it was unaware of it.
Usman, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Niamey had, earlier, denied the story of his expulsion.
