It is important to note that Jan Christian Gordon Kricke was declared persona non grata by the government for his “impolite attitude” on Friday and asked to leave Chad within 48 hours.

The German foreign ministry on Tuesday said it had made the same request of Chad’s ambassador Mariam Ali Moussa “in response to the unfounded expulsion of our ambassador to Chad”.

“We regret that it had to come to this,” the spokesman said.

“Ambassador Kricke has exercised his office in N’Djamena in an exemplary manner and has worked for human rights and the rapid transition to a civilian government in Chad,” he added.

Kricke left Chad on Saturday after the government of Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno accused him of “non-respect of diplomatic practices”.

Chadian government officials did not specify the exact reasons for his expulsion.