Title: The partial withdrawal of French forces in Niger: a redefinition of military cooperation
Introduction :
The situation in Niger has been the subject of great tension since the coup d’état of July 26. The putschist soldiers are demanding the departure of French soldiers, which has led Paris to consider reducing its military resources in the country. In this article, we will examine the consequences of this partial withdrawal and the different prospects for cooperation between France and Niger.
A reduction in military resources for a redefinition of cooperation:
Following the end of military cooperation between Paris and Niamey, as a result of the coup, France plans to withdraw most of its drones and reduce its air assets used in the anti-jihadist fight. This decision will also lead to the departure of some of the French soldiers present on the spot. This is a measure to rationalize resources, given that the French army is no longer in a position to carry out counter-terrorist operations in the current circumstances. Despite this partial withdrawal, France will maintain an “autonomous force” on the spot, allowing it to continue to provide certain attack and defense capabilities.
Niger, a leading ally in the anti-jihadist fight:
France has long considered Niger a crucial ally in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. The French forces present in the country provided fire support and intelligence to the Nigerien army, thus contributing to the fight against terrorist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. However, with the coup and the questioning of the military agreements between France and Niger by the new authorities, cooperation between the two countries is now on hold.
Ongoing discussions for a “very quick” start:
Discussions are currently underway between the French authorities and the putschist soldiers to agree on the departure of the French soldiers “very quickly”. However, the new Nigerien government expresses its wish to maintain cooperation with France, underlining the numerous partnerships already established between the two countries. It is therefore possible that military cooperation between France and Niger will be redefined in the coming months, taking into account new political and security realities.
Conclusion :
The partial withdrawal of French forces from Niger following the coup represents a redefinition of military cooperation between the two countries. As discussions continue to define the modalities of this withdrawal, it is important to underline the importance of cooperation between France and Niger in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel.. The current period offers the opportunity to rethink this cooperation so as to guarantee an effective fight against terrorist groups while respecting the democratic aspirations of the people of Niger.