Oct 10, PARIS: “The first troops have left,” the spokesman of the French chief of staff said. This follows an announcement by Niger’s army, stating that the 1,400-strong French contingent would depart with Niger forces escorting them.
In less than two years, French troops have experienced the embarrassment of leaving a former African colony for the fourth time. This has happened in Mali, the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and now in Niger.
The decision to withdraw the French troops came after Niger’s military rulers, who took control in a coup, ordered the departure of the French forces. French President Emmanuel Macron had previously announced in September that the troops would leave “by the end of the year” in response to the coup leaders’ demand.
These French troops were part of the effort to combat jihadist groups in the Sahel region. However, their situation had become uncertain since the new government in Niger demanded their withdrawal. This was accompanied by challenges such as irregular food supplies and anti-French protests outside their base in Niamey.
Meanwhile, Algeria has decided to “postpone” its efforts to mediate a resolution to Niger’s crisis. The new leaders of Niger have indicated that the timeline for a return to civilian rule will be determined through an “inclusive national” dialogue. General Abdourahamane Tiani, who now leads Niger, initially mentioned that the transition period would last a maximum of three years after coming to power.
-inputs AFP
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