TIG Post

Tag: French Ambassador

  • French Ambassador leaves Niger while tensions persist

    France’s ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itté, has left the country, marking a significant development one month after the nation’s military leaders ordered his expulsion.

    The historically close alliance between France and Niger came under strain following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum in July. In response, France refused to recognize the coup leaders and defied the order to recall its ambassador from Niger.

    In a noteworthy announcement on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron disclosed that Ambassador Sylvain Itté would depart from Niger in the coming days. Furthermore, President Macron stated that all French troops stationed in Niger would complete their withdrawal by the end of the year.

    These developments illustrate the intricate diplomatic situation that has unfolded in the aftermath of President Bazoum’s removal from office.

    The departure of Ambassador Itté and the planned withdrawal of French troops underscore the evolving dynamics in the region and France’s changing foreign policy stance in response to these developments.

  • ‘People call in the middle of the night, it is crazy’ – Former French Ambassador recounts ‘harassing’ situation over visas

    ‘People call in the middle of the night, it is crazy’ – Former French Ambassador recounts ‘harassing’ situation over visas

    Former French Ambassador to Ghana, Anne Sophie Ave, has revealed the awkward situations she has been subjected to by Ghanaians keenly in search of visas.

    According to her, some Ghanaians have taken to contacting her in the middle of the night to request visas. She mentioned that individuals have been reaching out to her both during the day and late at night via WhatsApp.

    In a discussion with Andy Dosty on Hitz FM on August 31, Anne Sophie Ave expressed her astonishment, as she had no knowledge of how some Ghanaians obtained her contact information. She also conveyed her discomfort with the situation, finding it embarrassing to receive such requests.

    Anne Sophie Ave emphasized that she had already communicated to Ghanaians that she is not responsible for issuing visas, yet she continues to receive late-night calls from individuals seeking assistance with visa matters.

    “People come to me night and day and even on my phone as well. I don’t know how they managed to get my WhatsApp and they call me in the middle of the night and I’m like oh, it’s crazy.”

    The former French Ambassador added that she is also not worried that much because she understands the ‘frustrations’ of these people knowing how things work.

    She said “But I understand where they come from. You need to travel, you have an appointment, a concert, a business meeting and then you apply for a visa and then there’s no appointment, no slot.”

    She further explained that there are many reasons why there are usually no slots when you apply for a visa with Andy Dosty “The number of requests (for visas) has increased remarkably so the size of the desk that is providing and studying the application is not enough because the number increased from 4000 a year to 7000 and to 10,000 with the same number of people; so that’s one thing,” she disclosed.

  • Burkina Faso wants French ambassador out – report

    Burkina Faso wants French ambassador out – report

    After several tense exchanges with the military junta that have strained relations between the two nations, Burkina Faso has requested that France recall its ambassador, Luc Hallade, according to the Paris-based pan-African publication Jeune Afrique, which cited unnamed sources in Paris.

    Olivia Rouamba, the foreign minister of Burkina Faso, is said to have written to the French presidency “at the end of December” requesting a change of representative.

    The change occurs less than two weeks after Barbara Manzi, the UN resident coordinator, was expelled by Burkina Faso.

    In November, the French embassy in Ouagadougou accused Burkina Faso of failing to provide adequate protection to its premises, which were attacked during anti-French protests last year.

    In July, Ambassador Hallade was forced to apologise for comparing militant violence in Burkina Faso to a civil war.

    Burkina Faso is increasingly embracing Russia, seemingly under the influence of Mali which cut diplomatic ties with France last year after Paris condemned Bamako’s use of Russian mercenaries.

    Source:BBC.com

  • Anne Sophie-Avé installed Nana Benneh III of Begho

    Known by now as one of those diplomats who make it more than just a point to live and love the ways of Ghana, its people and its beautiful culture, the French Ambassador to Ghana, Anne Sophie-Avé, has endeared to many hearts with her’ style.’

    This, among other things, has been recognized by the chiefs and people of Begho in the Bono Region, who have bestowed a new traditional title on her. 

    According to an adomonline.com report, the diplomat was installed as the Nkosuahemaa (Development Queen) of Begho, under the stool name “Nana Benneh III.”

    This installation coincided with the Ambassador’s ‘Meet and Connect’ initiative that took her and her team to Kumasi and some parts of the Bono region. 

    Anne Sophie-Avé explained that the initiative was birthed out of the hospitality she enjoyed from Ghanaians since her appointment as the French Ambassador to the country. 

    “I decided to embark on a ‘Thank You’ tour to show my appreciation and also meet and connect with the youth in Kumasi and Sunyani.

    “The only way you can get to know a country is by being in contact with the youth, as they are the ones who will shape tomorrow,” she said. 

    As part of the visit, she donated items such as stationery, footballs and other items to the people of Begho, where she was eventually installed “Nana Benneh III.”

    Akosua, which is the Ambassador’s adopted Ghanaian name, is reported to have also visited the Twene Amanfo Senior High School in Sunyani, as well as visiting the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). 

    She also made time to interact with the leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS-KNUST), where she received an honour for her dedicated, loyal and faithful service to Ghana.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com