UN General Assembly: who to represent Africa's new juntas?

It is this Tuesday, September 19 that the debates of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York open. While Africa, particularly in the West, has been experiencing repeated coups d'état for three years, which countries will be represented at this major annual event?

The UN General Assembly in New York. AFP - LOEY FELIPE

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Of all the new juntas in power, only Guinean will be represented by its transitional president. For Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, this is the first major official international trip since the 2021 coup. The head of state is expected to speak at the United Nations on Thursday, September 21. The opportunity, according to experts, to reassure partners on the conduct of the transition, while socio-political protests are swelling in the country.

For Mali, Colonel Assimi Goïta has sent his inescapable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, at a time when the UN peacekeeping mission is beginning to pack up, on the orders of the Malian authorities. Burkina Faso, which has experienced two coups in eight months, will also be at the session by its Minister of Public Service, Bassolma Bazié. For Gabon, which is preparing to appoint a new Parliament, General Brice Oligui Nguema has mandated its Prime Minister, Raymond Ndong Sima.

As for Niger, where elected President Mohamed Bazoum is still being held by the junta, General Adbourahamane Tiani and his emissaries do not appear to have been invited by the UN. Nothing is yet certain as to the presence of a Nigerien representative in the General Assembly.

The France ambassador is still in Niger

It is not on an injunction that the France will recall its ambassador to Niamey, said this Monday, September 18 in New York Catherine Colonna, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, in response to the putschist authorities of Niger who wish to expel him.

Our ambassador is fine. I repeat that he is safe. That his situation, certainly, is not the most pleasant in the world and that it is not justified.

00:35

Catherine Colonna, French Minister of Foreign Affairs

Christophe Boisbouvier

" READ ALSO The UN General Assembly opens in the midst of crises and in the absence of great leaders

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