France to Withdraw Troops From Niger

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Facts

• On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris will withdraw its soldiers from Niger by the end of the year following weeks of escalating tensions with the country's new military leaders.¹
• In an interview with French television outlets, Macron said military cooperation with Niger was 'over,' adding that in addition to withdrawing its 1.5K troops, Paris also decided to immediately withdraw its ambassador and several diplomats from Niger.²
• In a statement, the Nigerien military government welcomed Macron's announcement as a new step toward the country's sovereignty and said that 'imperialist and neo-colonialist forces are no longer welcome on our national territory.'³
• Earlier Sunday, before Macron’s announcement, the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar said Niger's coup plotters banned 'French aircraft or aircraft chartered by France' from flying over the country's airspace.⁴
• Meanwhile, Macron told French TV that he still considers Mohamed Bazoum, who is held captive by Niger's military rulers, as the country's 'sole legitimate authority,' calling the president ousted in a military coup on July 26 a 'hostage.'⁵
• Following the coup, Niamey terminated military cooperation with France, claiming that the Western-backed Bazoum government failed to protect the population from Al-Qaeda and Islamic State group-linked armed affiliates in the country's western Sahel region.⁶

Sources: ¹New York Times, ²BBC News, ³Dw.com, ⁴France 24, ⁵Tribune online and ⁶Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by France 24. The withdrawal of French troops and Macron's announcement to recall the French ambassador from Niger is the right decision given the ungrateful and hostile attitude of the Nigerien junta. The power-hungry coup plotters toppled the elected president for implementing bold reforms, thereby threatening their influence. France has helped Sahel countries like Niger, often alone, to fight Islamist terrorism, and the withdrawal of French troops does not bode well for the future and stability of Niger and the entire region.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Daily trust. Macron's announcement to withdraw French troops and the French ambassador from Niger is another major embarrassment for Paris. This is all the more true since Macron had previously announced that he would not give in to the military government's demand for the pullout of French troops and the French ambassador. The fact that Macron has now given in to the pressure is a victory for the Nigerien military government and underscores the fact that the 'Françafrique' era is ultimately coming to an end.
• Narrative C, as provided by Forbes. While France's withdrawal signals Niger's break with the political status quo, another development points to economic continuity. For instance, Western mining companies — most notably the French company Orano — continue to operate in the country to mine Niger's valuable uranium deposits. Some even have expansion plans, and so far there is little to suggest that the Nigerien military government intends to stop the companies' activities. Niamey's break with the West is by no means as radical as it might seem at first glance.