Niger’s recent military junta, which assumed control of the country last month, announced its decision on Thursday to withdraw the French ambassador’s diplomatic immunity and direct the police to expel him from the country.

Sylvain Itte’s visa and those of his family have been invalidated as well.

Earlier, the junta had informed Itte that he had 48 hours to depart the nation as a response to actions by the French government that were deemed “contrary to the interests of Niger.”

However, the deadline lapsed on Monday without Paris taking action to recall him.

In spite of pressure from the military regime, French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed on Monday that the ambassador would remain in Niger.

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Macron also reiterated France’s backing for the ousted democratically-elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

The French government’s stance is one of non-recognition of the coup leaders as legitimate rulers of the nation.

Following the overthrow of the president, the junta has capitalized on anti-French sentiment among the populace to bolster its own support.