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After military coup: French troop withdrawal from Niger begins

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After military coup
French troop withdrawal from Niger begins

French Air Force mechanics inspect a Mirage 2000 at the base in Niamey. photo

© Uncredited/AP/dpa

At the end of July, the presidential guard in Niger deposed head of state Mohamed Bazoum. Now the former colonial power France is withdrawing its soldiers there too.

A good two months after the military coup Niger, France has begun withdrawing its troops from the West African state. The General Staff confirmed to the German Press Agency that the withdrawal began on Thursday. A statement said that all soldiers should return to France before the end of the year. All precautions have been taken to ensure that the withdrawal is carried out safely and orderly. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal of 1,500 French soldiers from Niger a week and a half ago.

At the end of July, the presidential guard in Niger deposed head of state Mohamed Bazoum. The ruler is now General Abdourahamane Tiani, who suspended the constitutional order. The former colonial power France does not recognize the new government – as do other Western and African states. Niger, with around 26 million inhabitants, was the last democratic ally of the USA, France and other European countries in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region, where jihadists are spreading.

France is represented in Niger with a military base in Niamey and two forward posts in the tri-border area near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. France had already had to withdraw its troops following military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. For Paris, the withdrawal from Niger represents a further loss of influence in West Africa.