Police in Niger have been instructed to deport France’s ambassador, a move that Parisian officials claim the army soldiers who overthrew the government in Niamey last month lacked the authority to make.

In an effort to distance themselves from the former colonial power in the region amid a rising anti-French sentiment, the coup leaders are following the example set by juntas in the neighboring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso.

According to a statement released by the junta on August 29 and confirmed as true on Thursday by its chief of communications, Sylvain Itte, the French ambassador to Niamey, and his family, have had their visas revoked and police have been requested to remove the envoy.

In reaction to what they described as France’s efforts “contrary to the interests of Niger,” the coup’s instigators, who were condemned by regional African authorities and Western nations, ordered Itte to leave the country within 48 hours last Friday.

It stated that among these was the envoy’s unwillingness to respond to a request to meet with Niger’s new foreign minister.

France has called for the reinstatement of former President Mohamed Bazoum and stated that it will support efforts by the West African regional body ECOWAS to overthrow the coup.

With roughly 1,500 soldiers in the nation to reinforce the local military, France has made Niger the cornerstone of counter-insurgency operations against an Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region that has murdered thousands over the last ten years.

It redefined its strategy after thousands withdrew from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso following the coups there.

Similarly, the French foreign ministry stated on Thursday that the coup leader lacked the power to request that the ambassador leave, adding that it was “constantly assessing the security and operating conditions of our embassy.”

On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron stated that the ambassador would remain in the nation and reaffirmed France’s support for Bazoum.