August 31, (THEWILL) – Niger’s military has revoked the diplomatic immunity of the French ambassador in Niamey, Sylvain Itte.
Invoking Article 9 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges, while declaring Sylvain Itte persona non grata, the Junta ordered police to expel him from the country.
THEWILL reports that Diplomats are often granted certain privileges and immunities to effectively carry out their duties, and also allow for maintenance of government relations, even in periods of armed conflict. These rights are guaranteed in the 1963 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges.
While diplomats may not be prosecuted by the host countries, they can be ordered to leave, often within a short period of time.
Article nine of the Vienna Convention says the host country can declare any member of foreign diplomatic staff as “persona non grata” and require them to be removed.
This can be done by a state “at any time and without having to explain its decision,” it adds.
The military junta had, on Saturday, August 26, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the French, German, United States and Nigerian Ambassadors in Niamey, to leave Nigerien territory.
While the deadline expired on August 28, France, which earlier faulted the ultimatum, had failed to recall Itte.
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