The European Union has protested strongly after its ambassador to Niger, Salvador Pinto da França, was prevented from accessing the French embassy in the capital, Niamey.
“The European Union denounces and regrets the obstacles to freedom of movement of which the European ambassador, stationed in Niamey, was the victim this Tuesday 5 September, while he was going to the French embassy,” said EU spokesperson.
The French embassy has been blockaded after the military junta ordered the arrest and expulsion of French Ambassador Sylvain Itté, but he is refusing to leave.
The EU has termed the expulsion order a “new provocation which can in no way help to find a diplomatic solution to the current crisis”.
