France says to begin withdrawing troops from Niger this week
French army says it will begin pulling out troops from Niger this week, amid a swell of anti-France sentiment in the Sahel region that saw the country's troops recently leave Mali and Burkina Faso as well.
The French Armed Forces Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the troops would return to France and that the military exit should be complete by the end of the year.
“We will begin our disengagement operation this week, in good order, safely and in coordination with the Nigeriens,” it said.
President Emmanuel Macron had announced last month that France would withdraw troops from Niger would "by the end of the year.”
France, the colonial power in Niger, continues to support pro-Western former president Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup d’état on July 26.
Macron’s government has refused to recognize Niger’s military rulers and is still demanding the restoration of the government of Bazoum who is extremely unpopular among Nigeriens.
Since the coup, protesters have been taking to the streets, calling on France to withdraw its forces.
Anti-French sentiment even rose further when France ignored a military order for its ambassador, Sylvain Itte, to leave.
Niger’s leaders ultimately ordered the ‘expulsion’ of the ambassador and France finally withdrew its diplomatic staff from Niger last week.
French forces have recently been kicked out of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso. Both countries are being ruled by military governments with strong popular support.
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