The military rulers of Niger have asked that the head of the UN diplomatic mission in the nation quit within 72 hours.
Niger’s foreign ministry accused the UN of deploying “obstacles” to prevent the West African country from fully participating in last month’s UN General Assembly in a statement dated October 10. Madam Louise Aubin has held the position since January 20, 2021.
During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, a representative from Niger who was scheduled to speak did not do so.
According to AFP, the organization got two conflicting requests to address the assembly: one from the military rulers and one from the deposed administration.
At the time, military commanders chastised UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his “perfidious actions,” accusing him of impeding their participation in the body’s General Assembly.
In response, the UN chief’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated that “in the event of competing credentials from a member state, the UN chief refers the matter to the body’s Credentials Committee, for deliberation.” In addition, the Secretary-General “does not make a decision” on such a topic.
The Assembly receives a report on the credentials of delegates from the 9-member committee.
For example, the body has repeatedly postponed decisions on Burma and Afghanistan. The former governments’ ambassadors continue to represent the two countries at the United Nations.
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