A formal communique obtained by AFP on Wednesday, the military leaders currently in control of Niger have demanded the United Nations coordinator in the West African nation to vacate the country within a strict 72-hour timeframe.
The statement, released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and dated Tuesday, orders Louise Aubin, the United Nations’ Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, to initiate all necessary measures for her prompt departure from Niamey within the specified 72-hour window.
The document cites significant “obstacles” allegedly posed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which were perceived as hindering Niger’s full and comprehensive involvement in the recent United Nations General Assembly held last month.
The military regime has previously voiced its concerns about what it termed “the perfidious actions” of the UN chief, alleging that such actions were likely to undermine any efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis within the nation.
Bakary Yaou Sangare, who previously served as Niger’s ambassador to the UN before the coup and currently holds the position of Foreign Minister, was designated as the new leadership’s representative for the aforementioned international gathering.
