Final batch of French troops depart Niger after expulsion notice
The last French troops stationed in Niger to assist in the fight against a decade-long extremist insurgency in the Sahel left the country on Friday, thereby ending France’s presence in West Africa.
The junta who took power in Niger in July called the French military withdrawal one of their main demands, emulating juntas in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali who dissolved long-standing security relations with France following coups in 2020-2022.
A document signaling the end of the French military presence in Niger was signed on Friday in the capital, Niamey.
President Emmanuel Macron announced in September that 1,500 troops would leave Niger by the end of the year, following his initial opposition to the removal of the French forces in the West African country.
Relations between Niger and its former colonial power, France, deteriorated shortly after the July coup led by Abdouramane Tchiani.
In a related development, the French government has announced its plan to shut its embassy in Niger indefinitely as relations between the two countries worsen.
The embassy explains that it is “no longer able to function normally or fulfil its missions” due to restrictions imposed by Niger’s military government.
