French Troop Withdrawal from Niger Begins Amid Strained Relations

    

    The French military has officially initiated the process of withdrawing its troops from Niger this week, amidst tense relations between Paris and the country's military coup leaders.

In a statement from the French military headquarters, they emphasized that the disengagement process would be conducted in an organized and secure manner, in coordination with Niger.

This move comes after French President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24th the termination of military cooperation with Niger and the gradual withdrawal of the 1,400 French soldiers stationed in the Sahel country by the end of the year. Macron's decision was influenced by demands from the Nigerien coup leaders.

Since the military coup on July 26th, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, a leader aligned with France, Niger's government has been at odds with the former colonial power, as it does not recognize the new authorities in Niger.

The French ambassador to Niger had returned to France last week at the request of the Nigerien government.

Responding to this withdrawal announcement, the ruling military junta in Niger released a statement on social media, stating, 'The National Council for the Protection of Democracy and the Nigerien Government will ensure that this withdrawal takes place in accordance with our interests and our terms.'

Approximately 1,000 French soldiers and pilots are stationed at the French airbase in Niamey, with an additional 400 in Wour, located in the 'Three Borders' region between Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. This region has served as a sanctuary and launching pad for jihadists conducting attacks in these three countries.

According to the statement, the first group of 400 French soldiers stationed in Wour (west) will be the initial contingent to leave. Following that, the dismantling of the Niamey airbase, where the majority of French soldiers are stationed, will be completed by the end of the year.

The French military headquarters has emphasized that they are taking precautions to ensure the safety of their personnel, especially along the route connecting the advanced bases to the capital. This is due to the deteriorating security situation in Niger, which has witnessed several deadly attacks.

This withdrawal from Niger presents a logistical challenge for the French armed forces. Niger has been a transit point for anti-jihadist operations in Mali since 2013.

Even before the July 26th coup that removed elected President Mohamed Bazoum from power, Niger was one of Paris's last allies in the Sahel region, playing a pivotal role in France's efforts to combat jihadists in the area. After bolstering its presence in Niger, France sent armored vehicles and helicopters to support drone operations in the region.

The destination for the military equipment has yet to be determined. Several options are being considered, including transporting the equipment back to French territory, neighboring Chad (where France has forces in the Sahel), or other locations.

French forces will have to withdraw by land, either through Benin (an option rejected by the Nigerien military junta) or towards Chad. Transporting containers back to France through the port of Douala in Cameroon is also under consideration, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Airlifting the equipment does not appear to be a safe option at this time, as Niger has prohibited French aircraft from flying over its territory.

Since taking power, the military, led by General Abdul Rahman Tiani, has annulled defense cooperation agreements between Paris and Niamey, asserting that the French forces were present 'illegally' in Niger.

In recent weeks, tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Niamey to demand the withdrawal of French forces from Niger.

Nigeria, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has expressed support for a potential Algerian mediation process that involves a 'six-month transitional phase' to seek a political solution to the crisis.

On August 19th, General Abdul Rahman Tiani, the leader of the military junta in Niger, announced his desire for a transitional period of up to three years.

Nigeria, in its role as ECOWAS president, has welcomed the possibility of Algerian mediation based on a 'six-month transitional phase' to find a political resolution to the crisis.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama stated in an interview with 'France 24,' 'We oppose this military coup in Niger and insist on the release of President Bazoum, the elected President of Niger.'

The minister underscored that ECOWAS's warning of military intervention remains in effect, even though it may not be the 'preferred option,' a stance at odds with Algeria.