French President Emmanuel Macron has announced an end to France’s military presence in Niger and the recall of its ambassador, in response to the recent coup that ousted the democratically elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.
This decision is a notable blow to France’s policy in Africa, especially concerning the Sahel region where they had stationed thousands of troops to fight against Islamic extremist groups.
France had maintained around 1,500 troops in Niger since the July coup, but tensions have escalated between France and Niger in recent weeks.
An aide to Niger’s deposed President, Ali Sekou Ramadan, said that Bazoum had requested the withdrawal of the French ambassador to reduce tension.
In an interview on French television, Mr. Macron also said that the country’s ambassador to Niger would leave “within the next hours.”
He added, “And we are ending our military cooperation with the de facto authorities in Niger, because they no longer want to fight terrorism.”
This decision comes after military interventions in other African countries like Mali and Burkina Faso, where France faced tensions with ruling juntas and subsequently withdrew its troops.
Niger’s junta has responded to this announcement, viewing it as a step toward the sovereignty of their country.
They declared that imperialist and neo-colonialist forces are no longer welcome on their national territory, emphasizing a new era of cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereignty.
“Imperialist and neo-colonialist forces are no longer welcome on our national territory. The new era of cooperation, based on mutual respect and sovereignty is already underway,” it said in a statement.
The coup leaders also declared the closure of Niger’s airspace to French planes, both commercial and military.
The withdrawal of troops is expected to be gradual, likely by the end of the year and will be coordinated with the coup leaders to ensure a peaceful transition.