Macron: France will withdraw troops from Niger

25 September, 2023 French soldiers from the 126th Infantry Regiment talk to a local resident in Mali. Photo credits: France Army France will withdraw its troops from Niger, which were deployed there to participate in an anti-terrorist operation to counter illegal groups.

The announcement was made by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. French troops deployed in Niger will be withdrawn from the country within a few months following the coup d'etat in the country. Niger became one of the countries where France had a legal right to deploy its troops after it had left Mali and Burkina Faso due to the growing anti-French movements.

A rally of locals at the French Embassy in Niger.

Photo from the network

After the anti-French coup in this country, and the protests against the deployment of French troops, the French government decided to withdraw the remaining troops from Niger to France within a few months. In addition, Macron said he would immediately withdraw the Ambassador, who, according to the French government, was living under house arrest at the French Embassy in the capital Niamey. "France has decided to withdraw its Ambassador.

In the coming hours, our Ambassador and several diplomats will return to France," Macron said in an interview with France 24. The President also noted that military cooperation between France and Niger had been completed, and negotiations with the protesters and the junta were underway to ensure a peaceful withdrawal of troops from the country.

A destroyed French VBCI infantry fighting vehicle during a patrol in Gao. Photo from the network

A few months ago, the military junta came to power and issued an ultimatum to France to withdraw its troops who had been participating in anti-terrorist operations in North Africa.

Currently, there are about 1,500 military personnel in Niger who are participating in Operation Barkhane, aimed at destroying local terrorist groups.

In 2022, the operation ended in defeat and the withdrawal of French troops from Mali.

As Militarnyi previously reported, the leader of the coup d'etat in Niger agreed to direct negotiations with the African Economic Community ECOWAS under the threat of military invasion.