France has initiated the withdrawal of its troops from Niger in compliance with the directive of the leaders behind the July coup that ousted the pro-Paris president, according to military sources on Tuesday.
“The first troops have already left,” confirmed the spokesperson for the French chief of staff, corroborating Niger’s army’s announcement on Monday that the 1,400-strong French contingent would begin departing on Tuesday, escorted by Niger forces.
This withdrawal follows the announcement made on Monday by Niger’s military rulers, who stated that the initial convoy of French troops would be leaving the West African nation as demanded by the coup leaders.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who had cultivated a special alliance with Niger, pledged in September that the troops would complete their exit “by the end of the year” in response to the junta’s demand.
The departure of approximately 1,400 French troops had been demanded by Niger’s ruling generals shortly after they seized power in July.
In response to the junta’s demands and amid widespread anti-French sentiments in the former colony, Macron agreed to withdraw France’s ambassador and troops from Niger.
The French soldiers had been deployed in Niger as part of a broader effort to combat jihadists across the Sahel region. However, the new regime’s insistence on their departure had left them in uncertainty, with irregular food supplies and frequent anti-French protests outside the Niamey base.
As the French withdrawal commenced, Algeria opted to “delay” mediation efforts aimed at resolving Niger’s crisis.
Earlier this month, the new leadership of Niger announced that the timeline for a return to civilian rule would be established through an “inclusive national” dialogue.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger’s new strongman, had previously stated that the transition period would not exceed three years shortly after assuming power.
