Audio By Carbonatix
The foreign minister of France has reiterated her country's commitment to maintaining troops in Niger and keeping the French ambassador in place.
The military leadership in Niamey demanded the envoy's expulsion more than a week ago.
Catherine Colonna told Le Monde newspaper that the ambassador Sylvain Itte was the French representative to Niger's "legitimate authorities" - the deposed government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Ms Colonna was speaking as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Niamey for a third consecutive day near a French military base.
They again called on the former colonial power to withdraw its troops.
France has about 1,500 soldiers stationed in Niger to help quell an Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region.
Latest Stories
-
Today’s front pages: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
27 minutes -
Diomande’s rapid and remarkable rise to Real Madrid
35 minutes -
Nigeria: Gunmen kill army colonel in Abuja, shoot wife in failed abduction attempt
36 minutes -
UEFA World Cup boycott may be raised over FIFA plan
43 minutes -
Fitch Solutions predicts inflation to rise to 9% by end-2026 despite recent gains
52 minutes -
MPs approve zero excise duty on local fruit juices
1 hour -
KGL partners GMTF to build ultra-modern diagnostic centre at Ridge Hospital
2 hours -
All six members of MPC voted to keep policy rate at 14%
2 hours -
Universities must stop selling degrees and start selling purpose
2 hours -
Otumfuo briefed on Ghana Medical Trust Fund’s plan to expand specialised healthcare
2 hours -
GRIDCo begins restoration after early morning power system disturbance hits national grid
2 hours -
24-hour economy policy was for propaganda, NDC has abandoned it – Oforikrom MP
2 hours -
Gender Minister consoles families, survivors of Bukom tragedy
2 hours -
Private partners beware; you have no parliamentary cover yet – Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours -
Parliament cannot sign blank cheques – Oppong Nkrumah on multi-year tax deal
3 hours