French ambassador to Niger apologizes after Twitter discussion about Russian influence in the country

11 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The French ambassador in Niger, Sylvain Itté, has apologized to the Nigerien population after discussing on Twitter with a user about the influence of Russia in the African country and the decline of the French presence in other countries on the continent.

The discussion took place three days ago as part of the recent inauguration of a European photovoltaic plant partly financed by France in Gorou Banda, near the capital Niamey.

A Twitter user told him that the country “prefers cooperation with Russia, more respectful of sovereignty, to which the diplomat replied:” Sovereignty over what? We would be delighted if Russia would announce its support for the efforts of the European Union and announce the construction of a power plant or provide water to the Nigerien population.”

“Stop drinking water in Niamey, since it is European,” added the diplomat, in the comment that ended up unleashing a controversy that the ambassador tried to settle this past Friday.

“Apologies to the Nigeriens that I may have offended. “My wish was to emphasize that the Europeans are working with their Nigerien partners to serve the people of Niger. Of course, Niger’s water belongs to Nigeriens. My words have been deliberately distorted,” Itté has made known.

This friction takes place at a time when several African countries are openly expressing their discontent with the French presence in their territory, in what they describe as a neocolonialist policy.

Mali is the best example of this situation. In May last year, the Malian junta announced the breakdown of all defense agreements with France, citing violations of its sovereignty by French troops and a “profound deterioration in military cooperation”, as Bamako leaned towards closer ties with Russia through, in part, the presence of mercenaries from the Wagner group — “military instructors,” according to Malian authorities.