French President Emmanuel Macron announced they will pull out France's military presence from Niger.
He confirmed this decision on Sunday, Sept. 24, claiming that the West African country no longer wants to fight terrorism.
French President To Pull Out France's Military in Niger
Nigerien soldiers stand guard as supporters of Niger's National Council of Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) protest outside the Niger and French airbase in Niamey on September 2, 2023 to demand the departure of the French army from Niger.
As of writing, Niger is still under the control of a military junta. Although this is the case, Macron still wants to pull out his French military troops and ambassadors. CNN World reported that the French leader's decision is the latest major development during the high tensions between France and Niger.
"We are putting an end to our military cooperation with the de facto authorities of Niger because they don't want to fight terrorism anymore," explained the French leader.
Right now, the French government doesn't consider military authorities as the main authority of the African country. Officials said that Niger's only legitimate authority is ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Macron explained that they decided to end the France-Niger cooperation because they were not there to deal with internal politics and "be hostages of putschists."
He said they will continue to consult the military junta leaders to ensure the French military pull-out can be done peacefully.
"They will come back in an orderly manner in the weeks and months to come, and for that, we will coordinate with the putschists because we want this to happen calmly," said Macron.
The French president wants their troops and ambassadors safely pulled out of the West African nation before 2023 ends.
Will Niger's French Aircraft Ban Be an Issue?
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) gestures as he meets schoolchildren and caregivers before a vaccination session against the papillomavirus (HPV infection) at the College Jean Lartaut Middle School in Jarnac, central western France, on February 28, 2023.
On Saturday, Sept. 23, Niger's military leaders decided to ban France's aircraft and airplanes chartered by the French airlines, such as Air France. They said the African country's airspace is open to all international and national commercial flights except French airplanes.
But, The Guardian reported that it is still unclear if this French aircraft restriction will prevent France's soldiers and ambassadors from leaving the country.
This will depend on the upcoming conversations between Macron and Niger's military leaders. Numerous factors, such as possible demands from Niger junta leaders, can play a major role in France's military presence withdrawal.
If you want to learn more details about the ongoing issue in Niger, you can click here.
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