NIAMEY: Niger’s military rulers have directed the United Nations (UN) resident coordinator to leave the country, Turkish media reported on Wednesday.
The development comes as the military administration accused the UN General Secretariat of excluding the African country at the annual UN gathering of world leaders in New York last month.
A government statement accused the UN of using underhand measures under the influence of France to stop Niger from attending the recent UN General Assembly session and the important meetings of UN agencies that took place in Vienna and other states.
Niger Foreign Ministry in the statement said that as a reaction the government has ordered the UN official Louise Aubin to leave Niger within 72 hours.
UN Secretary-General regrets Niger’s decision
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regretted the expulsion, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
He said the decision to expel the Resident Coordinator hampers the capacity of the organization to effectively carry out its mandate and disrupts the basic work they do for the people of Niger, where 4.3 million needs humanitarian assistance.
Dujarric added the move is contrary to the legal framework applicable to the United Nations, including with respect to obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the privileges and immunities accorded to the organization.
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He further said the Secretary-General reiterates the steadfast commitment of the United Nations to stay and deliver for the people of Niger through continued humanitarian and development operations.
Niger was plunged into chaos on July 27 when General Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, led a military coup and ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
