The German government has ordered Chad's ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours in response to a similar move by Chad last week, according to a tweet from the foreign ministry on Tuesday.
The ministry stated that they called on Mariam Ali Moussa, the Republic of Chad's Ambassador to Germany to leave Germany as a response to the “unfounded expulsion” of their ambassador to Chad, Gordon Kricke.
Last week, the Chadian government expelled Kricke, stating that the decision was a result of his “non-respect of diplomatic customs.”
However, two Chadian government sources told Reuters that the expulsion was due to Kricke's critical comments about delayed elections and a court decision allowing interim military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby to run for political office.
The German foreign ministry expressed regret that they had to take this step, stating that “Ambassador Kricke exercised his office in N'Djamena in an exemplary manner & has worked for human rights & the rapid transition to a civilian government in Chad.”
The current political situation in Chad has been tense following the death of former President Idriss Deby last year and the subsequent military takeover by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby.