France Bows to Pressure, Agrees to Pull Out Ambassador and Troops from Niger

France has finally agreed to withdraw its ambassador and its military contingent from Niger, following a coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July.

The former colonial power had initially resisted the demands of the junta, which declared that Niger had severed ties with France and ordered the French envoy, Sylvain Itte, to leave the country within 48 hours.

President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday that France had decided to recall its ambassador and several diplomats, who would return to France in the next hours.

He also said that France would end its military cooperation with Niger and pull out its 1,500 soldiers stationed in the country as part of an anti-jihadist operation in the Sahel region. He said the withdrawal would be completed by the end of the year, after consultations with the coup leaders.

Macron reiterated France’s support for Bazoum, who he said was being held “hostage” by the junta and remained the “sole legitimate authority” in Niger.

 He also claimed that Itte was being held hostage in the embassy and that he was targeted by the coup because he was implementing courageous reforms and facing ethnic and political challenges. He said France would continue to stand by Niger’s democratic institutions and people.

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