Immediately after the overthrow of the president in Niger, the junta issued an ultimatum to France to withdraw its troops. At first, Macron refused to do so, but now the 1,500-thousandth contingent will be withdrawn by the end of the year.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the country is ending its military presence in Niger and will withdraw its ambassador from the African state. This was reported by France 24.
The French contingent will be withdrawn by the end of the year. The reason was a military coup. Immediately after the overthrow of the democratic regime, the junta demanded the withdrawal of French troops from the country, and the population protested near the base. Niger was one of the countries where Paris officially had the right to deploy its military after withdrawing from Mali and Burkina Faso. Negotiations with the junta are currently underway to ensure a peaceful withdrawal of troops. Macron said that military cooperation with Niger is over.
“This Sunday we celebrate a new step towards Niger’s sovereignty. This is a historic moment that speaks to the determination and will of the people of Niger,” Al Jazeera quoted the Niger junta as saying.
It is known that there were about 1500 military personnel in Niger who participated in the Barkhane operation. Its goal was to destroy terrorists. In addition to the army, Macron said that the French ambassador to Niger would also leave the country. According to journalists, the ambassador was not allowed outside the embassy, so he survived only on the food rations that were available at the embassy.
