The withdrawal of French forces in Niger: a decision following growing tensions
After weeks of high tensions with the putschist soldiers in Niger, the French army general staff announced Thursday that the withdrawal of soldiers present in the country would begin “within the week”. This withdrawal, which should be completed by the end of 2023, follows a security situation which has “degraded again in recent days”, according to an official source.
The disengagement of French forces in Niger already began this Thursday with the departure of the first soldiers stationed in Ouallam, along the Malo-Nigerian border. These soldiers were participating in Operation Almahaou in collaboration with the Nigerien armed forces, with the aim of securing the Liptako region. They will be evacuated by plane from Niamey, the main air base where the majority of French soldiers are located.
This withdrawal decision was confirmed by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP), which currently governs Niger. The Nigerien authorities will be careful to ensure that this withdrawal is carried out according to their interests and their conditions, specifies the CNSP press release.
The announcement of the withdrawal of French forces in Niger was made by Emmanuel Macron on September 24, in response to the request of the new Nigerien authorities. This decision marks the end of a long standoff between the two parties, following the coup which took place in July. Initially, Emmanuel Macron had refused the request for withdrawal, believing that only the deposed president Mohamed Bazoum had the power to make such a decision.
The presence of French forces in Niger was essential in the fight against terrorism in the region. Niger having become a central point of France’s anti-jihadist strategy since the departure of Mali in 2022. French troops were distributed across three sites, including the planned air base 101 in Niamey and two support points in the Tillabéri region. .
However, since the coup, relations between the new Nigerien authorities and France have deteriorated considerably. France condemned the putsch and called for the immediate return of Mohamed Bazoum. The tensions led to an inevitable reduction of French resources in Niger, in particular due to problems with the maintenance of military equipment.
Once the withdrawal of French forces in Niger is complete, France will still have four bases in Central and West Africa. This decision also raises questions about the future of Western contingents in the Sahel and the ability of countries in the region to ensure security in the context of a persistent terrorist threat.
In conclusion, the withdrawal of French forces in Niger marks the end of a period of tensions between the new Nigerien authorities and France. This decision raises questions about the ability of countries in the region to ensure their own security in the context of a growing terrorist threat. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on the regional balance and on counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region.