The junta that seized power in Niger last month has told the police to kick out the French ambassador, a sign of worsening relations with France, which said the coup leaders had no right to do so.

The coup makers are following the example of other military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, which have distanced themselves from their former colonial ruler amid anti-French sentiment. The junta said in a statement on Aug. 29, confirmed by its spokesman on Thursday, that it had revoked the visas of Sylvain Itte, the French envoy to Niamey, and his family, and ordered the police to expel him.

The junta accused France of acting against Niger’s interests and said Itte had ignored an invitation to meet with Niger’s new foreign minister. The junta had given Itte 48 hours to leave the country last Friday.

France has demanded the restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted by the coup, and said it would back the efforts of ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc, to reverse the coup.

France has used Niger as a base for its operations against Islamist militants in the Sahel region, who have killed thousands in the past decade. It has about 1,500 troops in Niger who support the local army. It changed its strategy after many of its soldiers left Mali and Burkina Faso following the coups there.

Paris has not accepted the junta’s decision to cancel bilateral military agreements, saying they were signed with Niger’s “legitimate authorities.”

The French foreign ministry also said on Thursday that the coup leader had no power to ask the ambassador to leave, and said it was “always evaluating the security and working conditions of our embassy.”

President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the ambassador would remain in Niger and reaffirmed France’s support for Bazoum.

A group of soldiers from Gabon has taken control of the nation, asserting that the recent general election lacks credibility. They appeared on national television to communicate their stance, stating that they represent Gabon’s security and defense forces.

According to reports, the election results have been nullified, borders are closed temporarily, and state institutions have been dissolved. In the capital city of Libreville, there were audible sounds of gunfire following the televised declaration.

Incumbent president Ali Bongo secured a third term in the election with 64.27% of the vote. The opposition had criticized the election as fraudulent due to delays and irregularities.

The announcement of the election result was made during the early hours by Michel Stephane Bonda, the head of elections. Bongo’s main opponent, Albert Ondo Ossa, came in second with 30.77%. The officers who appeared on television claimed that they were acting in the name of the Gabonese people and seeking to end the current regime in order to protect peace. Following the presidential, parliamentary, and legislative vote, concerns over potential unrest were heightened. The election saw Bongo aiming to extend his family’s longstanding rule, while the opposition pushed for change in the resource-rich but economically challenged nation.

The transparency of the electoral process was questioned due to a lack of international observers, suspension of foreign broadcasts, and measures such as cutting internet access and imposing a nationwide night curfew. Source: Reuters.

As MAKUTANO, the influential business network of the Democratic Republic of Congo, approaches its 10th anniversary, it continues to push the boundaries of innovation. With a firm belief that Africa’s prosperity hinges on robust partnerships between African nations, MAKUTANO proudly announces its groundbreaking “Forum 2023,” set to take place entirely “off-site” in Côte d’Ivoire.

The event is set to bring together fifty Congolese business leaders and high-performing investors, alongside a delegation of public decision-makers led by His Excellency, Prime Minister Jean Michel Sama Lukonde. This dynamic group will converge in Abidjan on the 20th and 21st of September, engaging in a series of collaborative discussions with a diverse array of 100 key decision-makers spanning both the public and private sectors across the continent.

The significance of the Forum 2023 lies not only in its unique format but also in its underlying mission. MAKUTANO’s emphasis on fostering strong inter-African partnerships underscores the understanding that the continent’s progress is intricately linked to collaborative efforts. By facilitating direct interactions among business leaders, investors, and government officials from different nations, the event seeks to catalyze discussions that could lead to innovative solutions, strategic alliances, and cross-border initiatives.

MAKUTANO’s choice of Côte d’Ivoire as the host country for this significant event also carries symbolic weight. The country, known for its economic dynamism and welcoming business environment, serves as an ideal backdrop for these crucial exchanges. The “hors les murs” approach—meaning “outside the walls”—represents a departure from traditional conference settings, offering participants a chance to connect in a relaxed yet stimulating atmosphere, away from the confines of convention centers.

As Africa stands on the precipice of various opportunities and challenges, the Forum 2023 is poised to contribute significantly to the continent’s growth trajectory. By facilitating direct engagement between the movers and shakers of Congolese and Ivorian business, politics, and entrepreneurship, MAKUTANO is paving the way for a new era of collaboration, partnership, and shared success.

As the countdown to September begins, anticipation builds for this transformative event, which promises to reshape the way business networks interact, collaborate, and innovate on the African continent.