In response to a strained relationship with the military junta that took power in a July coup, France has declared its intention to initiate the withdrawal of troops from Niger ‘this week.’
‘We will begin our disengagement operation this week, in good order, safely and in coordination with the Nigeriens,’ the military headquarters said.
This announcement was made one week after France’s ambassador to Niamey returned to France under regime pressure.
President Emmanuel Macron revealed on September 24th that 1,400 French troops will be withdrawn, with the process expected to conclude “by the end of the year.”
French military forces were stationed in Niger as a crucial component of the overarching campaign against jihadists throughout the Sahel region.
Read also: France Finally Set To Withdraw Ambassador, Troops From Niger
In northwestern Niger, roughly 400 soldiers are stationed alongside local armed forces near the borders shared with Burkina Faso and Mali.
The area referred to as the “three borders” zone is notorious as a sanctuary for the Islamic State group.
In the view of the military headquarters, troops leaving the area would need protection to safely exit their exposed front-line positions.
This safeguard could potentially involve air support from the larger force stationed at an airbase situated outside Niamey, the capital.
Uncertainty has been a constant for the troops ever since the junta began insisting on their withdrawal. They have had to contend with irregular food supplies and recurrent anti-French protests outside the Niamey base.
In reaction to the request for the withdrawal of French forces by a military regime in Mali, which had emerged from a coup, France heightened its presence in Niger. This expansion saw the introduction of armoured vehicles and helicopters, alongside the existing drones and fighter jets.
Their troops will now be required to withdraw either via Benin to the south, a move in disagreement with the junta in Niamey, or through Chad to the east, where France’s Sahel theatre headquarters is located.
For the time being, French flights are prohibited from crossing over Niamey’s territory.