All French soldiers deployed in Niger for the fight against jihadism will exit the country by December 22, as confirmed by the military regime that seized power in a coup in Niamey. This signifies the conclusive phase of their departure, initiated in October.
The Nigerien armed forces stated, “By December 22, all French soldiers and their logistical equipment will have definitively left Niger.”
This marks the zenith of a deepening rift between France and Niger since the generals assumed power in Niamey through a coup on July 26. They promptly demanded the removal of the 1,500 French soldiers combating terrorists and denounced various military agreements signed with Paris.
After a protracted standoff, France agreed, and President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal would conclude by the end of the year.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian army reported, “The process of disengaging French troops is proceeding in a coordinated manner and complete safety.”
According to Niger’s national television station, Télé Sahel, on Tuesday evening, “1,346 French troops and 80% of logistical equipment have been disengaged from our borders. Presently, only 157 French soldiers remain on our territory, including 75 logisticians.”
The first convoy of French soldiers left the country on October 10.
Since the coup d’état that ousted the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was sequestered in his residence, Niger’s ruling generals have systematically severed ties forged by the deposed regime with specific Western partners.
Early in December, Niamey announced the termination of two European Union (EU) civilian and military security and defense missions in the country. Concurrently, the ruling military embraced a Russian delegation.
Since the coup d’état, Niger has collaborated with Burkina Faso and Mali, both under military rule, grappling with terrorist violence. In early December, Burkina and Niger, following Mali’s lead from the previous year, declared their withdrawal from the G5 Sahel anti-jihadist organization, now comprising Mauritania and Chad.
Niger, plagued by bloody attacks in its western and southeastern regions by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, faces complex security challenges.
After a summit in Abuja on Sunday, other West African countries within Ecowas maintained severe economic and financial sanctions imposed on Niger after the coup d’état. The easing of these sanctions is contingent on a “short transition.”
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, who attended the summit, visited Niamey on Tuesday, leading a delegation that met with Niger’s military-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, according to Niger Radio.
Additionally, the new US ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, arriving in Niamey in mid-August, is set to present her credentials to the authorities soon, according to Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, in early December.
International NGOs working in Niger advocated on Tuesday for Ecowas to ease the sanctions imposed against Niamey and permit emergency humanitarian aid through neighboring Benin. They lamented Ecowas “ignored appeals” from the humanitarian community to ensure civilians in Niger have access to vital aid, with over 4.3 million people urgently requiring assistance in the country.
