Niger: French passengers now “persona non grata” at Niamey airport?
In Niger, several French nationals have been turned away upon their arrival at Niamey airport in recent days, even though they were in possession of valid documents. Are the French now
persona non grata
in Niger? This is what an Air Burkina document which circulated on February 1, 2024 seemed to indicate. But the airline's management denied it in the evening. Details.
Passengers arriving at Diori Hamani international airport in Niamey, September 22, 2023. AFP - -
By: RFI Follow
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The airline Air Burkina denies being the originator of this document, but does not say whether or not it is possible to board French people to Niamey. A reaction to the document which circulated on February 1, 2024, presented as an internal company memo.
It could be read that “
according to the Nigerien authorities, any passenger of French nationality is no longer authorized to enter Nigerien territory
” and will therefore no longer be accepted on flights to this destination. Internal sources at Air Burkina had authenticated it with RFI.
According to a source close to the Nigerien government, there is no official instruction
At Royal Air Maroc, it has been indicated that special authorization from the
Niger
authorities has been required for almost a week for French passengers.
According to a source close to the Nigerien government, there are no official instructions. But this source notes that the police have in fact been pushing back French people for several days at Niamey airport.
RFI has confirmed at least five cases, including one in possession of a United Nations diplomatic passport. Is this a measure of reciprocity, as this same source asserts? Paris notably canceled the visas of several Nigerien personalities who expressed critical positions towards France.
Read alsoNiger: the authorities are increasing retaliatory measures against European nationals
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