Mohammed Usman, Nigeria’s ambassador to the Republic of Niger, has reacted to a viral claim that the military junta expelled him.
In a conversation with TheCable on Saturday, August 26, Usman stated that the report was false.
Part of the claim was that the coup plotters requested the Nigerian envoy leave the Niger Republic.
However, Usman noted:
“I was not given any ultimatum to leave the country. The report is false.”
Recall that the junta had ordered Sylvain Itte, the French ambassador, to leave the country in no later than two days.
The country’s foreign ministry said the decision to expel the ambassador stemmed from his refusal to honour an invitation with Niger’s minister of foreign affairs.
The statement added that “other actions by the French government contrary to the interests of Niger” led to the ambassador’s withdrawal.
