Niger's post-coup military rulers have demanded that the United Nations coordinator in the West African country leave Niger before Saturday.
The Niger foreign ministry said in the statement dated Tuesday and seen on Wednesday by the press that the government had ordered the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator, Louise Aubin, "to take all necessary measures to leave Niamey within 72 hours".
In a statement dated 10 October, Niger's foreign ministry accused the UN of using "underhanded manoeuvres" instigated by France to prevent its full participation at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) last month and in subsequent meetings of UN agencies held in Vienna and in Riyadh.
Niger Government has given head of UN mission to leave the country within 72 hours
— African (@ali_naka) October 11, 2023
Niger military government has demanded that the head of United Nations diplomatic mission Louise Aubin leave the country within 72 hours.
A statement from Niger's foreign ministry accused the UN… pic.twitter.com/MCzNDq3AUm
The military regime in power in Niamey has already criticised "the perfidious actions" of the UN chief, saying that they were "likely to undermine any effort to end the crisis in our country".
Niger's current foreign minister is Bakary Yaou Sangare. Before the coup, he was Niger's ambassador to the UN.
He was scheduled to go to UNGA's gathering, but, finally failed to send an application to represent Niger.
The matter was finally deferred and no representative from Niger was added to the speakers' list.
The UN in Niamey said it had no immediate comment.
US reactions
This decision comes as the United States has announced that it has decided to cut aid to Niger.
"Any resumption of US assistance will require action to usher in democratic governance in a quick and credible timeframe," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Following our conclusion that a military coup d’etat has taken place in Niger and pursuant to section 7008, the U.S. is suspending most assistance to the government of Niger. Any resumption of aid will depend on concrete actions to restore democracy. https://t.co/i9Oj2Rnz5b
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) October 10, 2023
Washington earlier Tuesday declared that Niger's ousting of a democratic government had been a coup.
The United States, along with some West African nations and the former colonial power France, had been pressing the military to restore President Mohamed Bazoum.
"We're taking this action because over the last two months, we've exhausted all available avenues to preserve the constitutional order in Niger," a senior US official added.
(with newswires)
