![French Barkhane Air Force members at the Niamey, Niger base [File: Jerome Delay/AP Photo]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/france.webp)
France will be withdrawing its military presence from Niger by the end of 2023, according to an announcement made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday. This decision comes amidst escalating tensions between the two countries since a military junta took control of Niger in July.
President Macron stated, “We are putting an end to our military cooperation with the de facto authorities of Niger because they don’t want to fight terrorism anymore.” He referred to the military leaders who seized power in the northwest African country.
France has not recognized Niger’s military authorities and maintains that the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown in the coup, remains the country’s only legitimate authority.
Macron emphasized that the decision to end cooperation was due to France’s unwillingness to involve itself in internal politics and become hostages of the coup leaders. The withdrawal will be organized in the coming weeks in a coordinated effort with the military group.
Niger’s ruling military power has expressed its support for France’s decision to withdraw its troops. In a statement broadcasted on Niger’s state television, Tele Sahel, they said, “This Sunday, we celebrate another step towards Niger’s sovereignty. French troops and the French ambassador will be leaving Niger by the end of the year. Imperialist and neo-colonialist forces are no longer welcome on our national territory.”
France had stationed approximately 1,500 troops in Niger, primarily to assist with counterterrorism missions. The presence of French troops was justified by Niger’s relative stability as a democracy in a region plagued by political unrest, terrorism, and Islamist insurgencies.
Macron confirmed that there will be no French soldiers in Niger by the end of 2023.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the United States could also begin withdrawing troops from Niger in the coming weeks. As many as half of the roughly 1,100 US troops stationed in Niger may be pulled out, according to US officials.
In addition to the military withdrawal, Macron announced the return of France’s ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, to France. The decision comes after Macron previously stated that the ambassador was “literally being held hostage at the French embassy” and that food supplies were being blocked. The military junta had ordered Itte to leave the country and revoked his visa, but he remained in place with the support of the French presidency.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna confirmed earlier this month that Itte would stay as long as France deemed necessary, and his return to France was ultimately Macron’s decision.