French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the withdrawal of both the French ambassador and the military forces stationed in Niger in the coming months.
“France has decided to withdraw its ambassador,” Macron told French television in an interview, without giving details about how this would be organized. “In the next hours, our ambassador and several diplomats will return to France.”
This came following the coup in Niger that removed the pro-French president from power.
Despite being ordered to leave by the coup leaders, the French ambassador remained in Niamey for two months, marking a period of tension between France and Niger’s new leadership.
Niger’s military administration has implemented a ban on French aircraft in their airspace, as per the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar. The implications of this on the ambassador’s departure by air remain uncertain.
Approximately 1,500 French troops are stationed in Niger, forming part of the broader effort to combat jihadist activity in the Sahel region. Macron expressed concerns about the new Nigerien authorities’ commitment to combating terrorism.
He added that military cooperation was over and French troops would withdraw in “the months and weeks to come” with a full pullout by the end of the year.
Niger’s military rulers responded swiftly in a statement read out on national television.
“This Sunday, we celebrate a new step towards the sovereignty of Niger,” the statement from the military rulers read.
Previously, the military leaders of Niger had commanded the French ambassador, Sylvain Itté, to exit the country after the coup against President Mohamed Bazoum.
Even after a 48-hour ultimatum given in August, France did not adhere to the request and did not recognize the new military regime’s legitimacy.
