There are indications that France has bowed to pressure and begun negotiations with the military authorities in Niger to address the diplomatic stand off between the two nations as a result of coup that ousted President Mohammed Bazuom.
There are reports that authorities in Paris are currently in talks with the leader of the junta in Niger General Abdourahamane Tchiani to facilitate withdrawal of about 1500 French soldiers in Niger, Aljazeera has reported.
The report said the authorities in Paris have urged the French Ambassador to Niger, Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave Niger in line with the request of the junta.
This is a new dimension to what has been the position of Paris that the Ltte will remain, stressing that the junta has no authority to order the ambassador out of the country in 48 hours.
The standoff had generated uprising in Niger, where the masses have been drumming up support for the junta and have been holding vigil with heavy presence of the Nigerien soldiers outside the French Embassy.
Massive supporters of the junta also gathered in front a French military based calling on the French soldiers and the ambassador to leave their country and that they are ready to die for their country.
The junta seized power July 26, from Mohamed Bazoum, accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of using divisive rhetoric in his comments about the coup and seeking to impose a neocolonial relationship with its former colony.
