The military ordered the French ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours, noting that the ambassador, Sylvain Itte, no longer had diplomatic immunity and that the police had been instructed to expel him.
The Niger Republic military regime on Thursday wrote a formal letter, ordering the expulsion of the French envoy, Sylvain Itte from the country.
The military ordered the French ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours, noting that the ambassador, Sylvain Itte, no longer had diplomatic immunity and that the police had been instructed to expel him.
AFP reports that the junta's decision was in response to actions taken by the French government that it said were "contrary to the interests of Niger." The junta did not specify what these actions were, but it is thought to be related to France's support for Niger's ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, has said that the ambassador will stay in the country despite the junta's pressure.
He had reiterated France's support for Bazoum and said that the French government would continue to work with the junta to ensure a smooth transition to democracy.
The expulsion of the French ambassador is a major escalation of tensions between Niger and France. The two countries have been close allies for many years, but the junta's decision is likely to strain relations.
The expulsion of the French ambassador was also a setback for the junta's efforts to legitimise its rule.
The junta has promised to hold elections within 12 months, but the expulsion of the ambassador is likely to make it more difficult to attract international support for the transition.
The situation in Niger is fluid and it is unclear how the expulsion of the French ambassador will play out. However, it is clear that the junta's decision has further complicated the country's political crisis.