France is withdrawing its ambassador and troops from Niger in response to the July coup that ousted Niger’s democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum, French President Emmanuel Macron announced during a televised interview on September 24.
“France has decided to withdraw its ambassador. In the next hours our ambassador and several diplomats will return to France,” he declared.
According to the withdrawal plan, approximately 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger will gradually withdraw over the “months and weeks to come,” with a complete pullout expected “by the end of the year.”
This decision by France followed weeks of mounting pressure from both the military and widespread public demonstrations in Niger’s capital, Niamey.
Demonstrators, including protests outside a military base housing French soldiers, have been demanding the exit of French forces.
Sole legitimate authority
Macron reiterated France’s position that Bazoum was the “sole legitimate authority” in Niger, and he described the coup as an attempt to thwart his courageous reforms and settle ethnic scores.
He reminded that France’s military presence in Niger was a response to a request from Niger’s government at the time.
Niger welcomes the move
The new leaders of Niger, who had been calling for France’s departure since Macron’s refusal to recognize the July 26 coup, welcomed this development.
“This Sunday, we celebrate a new step towards the sovereignty of Niger,” the leaders said in a statement read out on national television. “This is a historic moment, which speaks to the determination and will of the Nigerien people,” they added.
France’s exit from Niger is not an isolated event. Similar requests had been made in France’s former colonies, Mali and Burkina Faso, where French troops were asked to leave. This trend raises questions about France’s military presence in the Sahel region.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions following the July coup, even suggesting military intervention if diplomatic efforts to restore Bazoum to power failed. However, as regional countries threw their support behind the new military rulers, ECOWAS began to reconsider its stance.
Military cooperation suspended
Niger’s military rulers had suspended military cooperation with France post-coup, citing insufficient efforts by Bazoum’s government to combat armed rebellion in the country’s western region, part of the volatile Sahel.
Separately, the military government in Niger accused United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of obstructing the country’s full participation at the UN’s annual meeting of world leaders. They alleged this was done to appease France and its allies, further highlighting the complex diplomatic dynamics surrounding this situation.
Defense pact between Sahel countries
The three Sahel countries—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—facing recent coups formed a mutual defense pact on September 16 to counter potential armed rebellions or external threats.
The Sahel region has seen escalating violence by armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS over the past decade. Western nations, including France, had collaborated with Bazoum to counter the influence of these groups, providing substantial military aid and assistance.