Niger’s ruling Military Council has urged for a scheduled withdrawal of French forces from its territory. This comes amidst evolving dynamics in the region, as Washington deliberates its next move regarding its military presence in Niger.
A spokesperson for the Military Council highlighted the nation’s struggle and regarded this period as a momentous stride towards Niger’s sovereignty. The sentiment is in line with the recent announcements made by French President Emmanuel Macron, stating the return of Sylvain Lhote, the French Ambassador in Niamey, to France. Macron, in a Sunday television interview, further confirmed that French forces would depart from Niger by year’s end, ending the military collaboration with what he termed the de facto authorities in Niger.
France, in its fight against insurgents in the Sahel region, had stationed approximately 1,500 soldiers in Niger. The United States also has a significant military footprint, with around 1,100 servicemen deployed.
Niamey authorities, in an official statement, welcomed France’s intention to pull its forces out. The Military Council described the move as a “historic moment”, emphasising that “this Sunday, we celebrate a step further towards Niger’s sovereignty”. They further encouraged their citizens to continue their struggle for the future ambitions of the nation.
Meanwhile, the United States’ standpoint is undergoing evaluation. The US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, during a visit to Kenya, stated, “Whilst giving diplomacy a chance, we will also continue to assess any future steps that prioritise our diplomatic and security objectives.” Austin reiterated the US’s stance for a diplomatic resolution to the Niger crisis in a joint press conference with his Kenyan counterpart in Nairobi.
Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US Department of State, clarified that France’s decision to withdraw its troops doesn’t impact the positioning of US forces. The US continues to maintain its force of approximately 1,100 soldiers in Niger to combat active armed groups in the region.
Austin emphasised that Washington “hasn’t made any tangible changes to our troop disposition… and genuinely wants to see a diplomatic solution and a peaceful conclusion” to the crisis.
