[Patoslam]

France has refused to recall its ambassador to Niger, Pascal Prunet, after he was declared persona non grata by the Nigerien government on Friday. The Nigerien foreign ministry accused Prunet of interfering in the country’s internal affairs and violating diplomatic norms. It gave him 72 hours to leave the country. The move came after Prunet met with opposition leader Hama Amadou, who was barred from running in the presidential election earlier this year. Prunet reportedly expressed concern over Amadou’s health and security situation. France said it regretted Niger’s decision and rejected the allegations against Prunet. It said it would maintain its diplomatic presence and cooperation with Niger, a former French colony and a key ally in the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel region.