Reactions have continued to trail France’s refusal to recall its ambassador to Niger despite his expulsion by the Junta.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Sylvain Itte will stay in the country despite the pressure from leaders of a recent coup.

Macron also reiterated support for Niger’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum whose decision not to resign he described as courageous. 

According to Nabila Massrali, EU spokeswoman for foreign affairs, The decision of the putschists to expel the French ambassador is a new provocation that cannot in any way help to find a diplomatic solution to the current crisis.

In this brief chat, Adeniyi Kuno, an International relations expert, first responds to the question – What is at stake for France?