Niger junta gives French and German envoys 48 hours to leave

An attempted military coup in Niger from last month has triggered serious instability as the country’s democratically elected officials remain under detention.

The disturbance has prompted calls for the restoration of constitutional order from people across the globe, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

Even before the July 26 power grab, millions of people in Niger were chronically food insecure, with several children suffering from chronic malnutrition.

The coup has worsened the already deteriorating plight of Nigeriens, triggering border closures, trade interruptions and spike in food prices.

Weeks into the seizure of power, the military junta in Niger has now offered the French, German, US and Nigerian envoys 48 hours to leave the country.

ECOWAS Has Forces On “Standby” For Potential Intervention

The order to leave has come amid escalating tensions between the junta and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has threatened physical intervention.

The order, however, was quickly rejected by France, with its foreign ministry stressing “The putschists do not have the authority to make this request.”

According to AFP, the junta’s decision comes after the respective envoys refused to attend a meeting on Friday with the foreign minister.

Meanwhile, the West African bloc continues to push for the restoration of constitutional order and has forces on “standby” in case a physical intervention becomes essential.

On Friday, it once again asked the coup leaders to reconsider their actions and reinstate power with the democratically elected government.