Niger Republic military leaders expel Nigerian Ambassador over ECOWAS threats

The Niger Republic military leaders have expelled the Nigerian Ambassador, Mohamed Usman, from the country.

The junta who usurped power from the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, in a bloodless coup on July 26, also expelled the German Ambassador, Olivier Schnakenberg, from the country.

The two ambassadors were ordered to leave the country within 48 hours.

The Niger Republic's foreign ministry in a statement on Friday 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.”

Same reason was also given for the expulsion of the German Ambassador, as the statement also said, “In reaction to German Ambassador Olivier Schnakenberg’s refusal to reply to an invitation by the ministry for a discussion on Friday August 25 at 11.00 a.m., and due to other actions of the German government contrary to Niger’s interests, the ministry is giving 48 hours to Mr. Olivier Schnakenberg’s to leave the Nigerien territory.”

Recall they on Thursday, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), met with some Islamic clerics (Ulama) to be dispatched to the Niger Republic for continued negotiations with the coup leaders to get them return constitutional power to the deposed President.

This is however, as the standoff in Niger has continued to heighten a possible military intervention by the West African regional bloc to restore constitutional order in Niger.

Similarly, the Niger’s Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani-led military administration also gave the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, 48 hours to leave the country.