French Ambassador Being Held Hostage

The French ambassador and other diplomats at that country's embassy in Niger are “being held hostage,” according to President Emmanuel Macron. A coup upended the African nation this summer, and the hopes of the West that the democratically-elected government would return to power have dwindled.

Per CNN:

Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Côte D'Or region in France on Friday, Macron said that “food was prevented from being delivered” to the embassy in Niamey, and that the ambassador was “eating military rations.”

The ambassador, Sylvain Itte, “cannot go out, he is persona non grata and he is being refused food,” Macron also said.

After seizing control of the West African country in July, the military junta ordered Itte to leave the country. It later revoked his visa and instructed police to expel him.

But the diplomat remained in place, according to the French presidency, with French authorities reiterating that they do not recognize the authority of the junta.

Regional conflict remains a distinct possibility after the junta defied a deadline from the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to cede power.

The Pentagon is keeping a small contingent of U.S. troops in the country even as coup leaders dig in.

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