Niger military regime says France to commence immediate withdrawal of troops

The Nigerien military regime has announced that the withdrawal of French troops from the country will commence Tuesday following fallout with the former colonial ruler.

Relations between France and Niger collapsed after the July coup that removed the democratically elected president and French ally, Mohamed Bazoum.

The Abdourahmane Tchiani-led junta said the military officers would be escorting the first convoy of the French anti-terror unit out of Niger without giving further details.

No fewer than 1,500 French soldiers have been assisting Nigerien authorities in their fight against terrorists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

In August, the junta requested that the French withdraw, accusing them of attempting to reinstall President Bazoum by force.

For weeks, there have been protests outside a French military base in Niamey, the capital.

Initially refusing to evacuate the troops, French President Emmanuel Macron agreed last month, stating they would be gone by the end of the year.

In recent years, French control over its former colonies in West Africa has decreased, just as public anger has gone up with several protests spreading against Paris.

President Macron stated that he still considers Niger’s democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum, who is presently being held captive by the coup leaders, to be the country’s rightful President and that he has notified him of his decision to leave Niger.