IN a significant announcement on Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would be withdrawing its troops from Niger, a move precipitated by the political turmoil following a coup in the West African nation back in July. This decision not only deals a substantial blow to French influence in the region but also has implications for counter-insurgency operations in the Sahel area.
Macron affirmed that approximately 1,500 troops would be gradually withdrawn from Niger by the end of the year. He emphasised that France, as the former colonial power in Niger, was unwilling to ‘be held hostage by the putchists,’ referring to the coup leaders.
The decision to withdraw comes after weeks of mounting pressure from the junta in Niger and widespread public demonstrations. France’s exit from Niger is expected to heighten Western concerns regarding Russia’s expanding influence in Africa. Th
is concern is further fuelled by the presence of the Russian mercenary force, Wagner, in Niger’s neighbouring country, Mali.
Notably, President Macron refused to recognise the junta as the legitimate authority in Niger. However, he indicated that Paris would coordinate the troop withdrawal with the coup leaders. In an interview with France’s TF1 and France 2 television stations, Macron stated, ‘We will consult with the putschists because we want things to be orderly.’
In addition to the troop withdrawal, France’s ambassador to Niger was also being recalled and was expected to return to the country within the next few hours, according to Macron.
French influence over its former colonies in West Africa has experienced a decline in recent years, coinciding with growing public discontent. French forces have been expelled from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso following coups in those nations, diminishing their role in the region-wide fight against deadly Islamist insurgencies.
Prior to the coup, Niger remained a crucial security partner for both France and the United States, serving as a base for combating Islamist insurgencies in the broader Sahel region of West and Central Africa.
The French military base located in Niger’s capital, Niamey, had become a focal point for anti-French protests since the coup that occurred on July 26. Demonstrators regularly gathered in the streets to demand the withdrawal of French troops stationed in the capital. In a particularly notable protest earlier this month, tens of thousands rallied against France, symbolically slitting the throat of a goat dressed in French colours and bearing coffins draped in French flags.
Furthermore, pro-coup demonstrators in Niamey have been observed waving Russian flags, raising concerns among Western countries that Niger might follow in Mali’s footsteps and replace their troops with Wagner fighters. The future of Wagner remains uncertain since the demise of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash last month.
It is worth noting that Wagner is also actively involved in the Central African Republic and Libya, with Western nations alleging its presence in Sudan, which Russia denies. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a return to constitutional order in Niger.
Lastly, it is crucial to mention that French nuclear power plants source a small portion
, less than 10 percent, of their uranium from Niger. This supply is managed by France’s state-owned Orano, which operates a mine in the northern region of Niger. President Macron affirmed th
at he still recognized democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum as Niger’s legitimate leader, even though he is currently held captive by the coup leaders.
