France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, announced the withdrawal of the French ambassador and the cessation of all military cooperation with Niger following the coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power on July 26.
In his statement, President Macron stated, “France has decided to withdraw its ambassador. In the next hours, our ambassador and several diplomats will return to France.”
He also made it clear that military cooperation was terminated, and French troops would depart “in the months to come.”
The military junta that took control in Niger after the coup welcomed this decision. They expressed in a statement, “This Sunday, we celebrate a new step towards the sovereignty of Niger.”
France has had around 1,500 soldiers stationed in Niger, actively involved in counterterrorism efforts against Islamist militants.
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Notably, the United States has more than 1,000 troops in Niger, but they have not been asked to depart as of now.
The decision to withdraw comes after months of tension and protests against the French presence in Niger, with regular demonstrations occurring in the capital, Niamey.
This move represents a setback for France’s counterterrorism operations in the broader Sahel region and its overall influence in the area.
President Macron, while asserting that France would not be held hostage by coup leaders, emphasized that he still recognized the deposed President Bazoum as the sole legitimate authority in Niger and had informed him of this decision.
He described Bazoum as a “hostage” and highlighted that the coup targeted him due to his courageous reforms and political motivations.
Niger joins the list of former French colonies in West and Central Africa where the military has taken control, following similar events in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Chad, with the most recent coup occurring in Gabon in August.