Niger junta gives French ambassador 48 hour ultimatum to leave country

Thousands of anti-sanctions protestors holding Nigerien flags and Russian flags gather in support of the putschist soldiers in the capital Niamey, Niger 20 August, 2023. REUTERS - STRINGER

Niger's military rulers, who seized control of the government in July, have given the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, an ultimatum that has been rejected by France's foreign ministry.

Relations between the new regime in Niamey and several Western powers, including the West African bloc Ecowas, have deteriorated since the coup on 26 July.