France concedes to Niger military by announcing withdrawal of troops, ambassador

WORLD  26 September 2023 - 08:54

France is to end its military cooperation with the Niger and pull its 1,500 troops as well as their ambassador out of the African country by the end of the year after initially rejecting the military's order of doing so.

As reported by France24, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed this on September 24, which is a setback to France's counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel and France's influence in the region, but Macron said France would "not be held hostage by the putschists."

The military powers in the Niger welcomed the announcement and said that it signals a "new step towards the sovereignty" of the country.

Caliber.Az recalls, that the Niger's military leaders told French ambassador Sylvain Itte he had to leave the country after they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, which Paris refused to do. Ever since then, France continues to recognize Bazoum, who is currently detained by the coup leaders, as the legitimate head of government.

Caliber.Az