France to shut down Niger embassy following dispute with military junta

France has decided to shut down its embassy in Niger indefinitely as tensions between the two nations continue to rise. The embassy claims that it can no longer operate normally or carry out its responsibilities due to the limitations imposed by Niger's military government. Furthermore, the local embassy staff has been dismissed, according to former French ambassador Sylvain Itté. The relationship between Niger and France has deteriorated since the military overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in July. In September, Itté and other French personnel left the country after the military regime demanded the ambassador's expulsion and placed a blockade around the embassy in the capital city, Niamey. Although the embassy was attacked by pro-junta protestors soon after the coup, the Nigerien forces prevented them from entering the premises. The embassy's closure was announced just before the deadline set by the military government for French troops to leave the country, which is on Friday. These troops have been deployed in Niger to support the fight against jihadist groups associated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.