France Will Withdraw Its Troops From Niger By Year's End — President Macron

Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron, France will remove its troops from Niger By the end of 2023

According to local media, Macron promised that the 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger to combat terrorism in the Sahel will “return in an orderly manner” by the end of the year.

“We are ending our military cooperation with the de facto authorities of Niger because they no longer want to fight against terrorism,” he said.

“France would consult with the military junta to make the withdrawal done peacefully.

“We will continue to support the African continent in the fight against terrorism but we only do so if it is at the request of democratically-elected powers and regional authorities,” Macron said.

Additionally, the French president said that the ambassador to Niger would soon return to France.

The military junta in Niger had demanded the departure of the French ambassador after the coup, but France refused.

Following the coup in Niger, ties between Niger and France deteriorated.

While Niger has closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in France, France has halted visa deliveries there and removed its citizens.