Niger seizes Burkina Faso military uniforms from a van coming out of French embassy

Nigerien authorities discovered Tuesday a set of military equipment including sixteen uniforms of the Burkina Faso army, in a van coming out of the French embassy in capital Niamey, state-run news agency reported.

The van reportedly brought furniture of a French man living in town to the mission but a search of the vehicle as it was making its way out of the embassy revealed the presence of “16 fatigues (of Burkina Faso army), 21 military T-shirts and two pairs of shoes.

The media also reported that the van was handed over to the military police for investigation.

The discovery came amid an ongoing standoff between the embassy and Nigerien authorities who have besieged the mission as they demand the ambassador to leave the country after he failed to grace a meeting at the country’s Foreign ministry.

Paris also refused to pull out its envoy.

Niger has terminated all agreements with the former colonial power and demanded the withdrawal of 1,500 French troops in presence on its soil. Both sides this week indicated that talks are ongoing for the French troops to leave.