France Ends Military Presence in Niger: Major Blow to Country's Policy in Africa

President Emmanuel Macron of France has announced that the country will be ending its military presence in Niger and recalling its ambassador, following the deposition of Niger's democratically elected president in a coup. This decision comes as a blow to France's policy in Africa, as it had previously withdrawn troops from Mali and Burkina Faso after coups took place in those countries. France had stationed thousands of troops in the region to combat jihadist groups at the request of African leaders. France has maintained around 1,500 troops in Niger since the coup took place in July.

The new junta had ordered the French ambassador to leave, but France refused to recognize the coup leaders as legitimate and therefore refused to comply. Tensions between France and Niger, a former French colony, have risen in recent weeks, with Macron stating that French diplomats were surviving on military rations as they remained holed up in the embassy. In an interview, Macron revealed that he had spoken with ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and informed him that France would recall its ambassador and diplomats would return to France. He also announced an end to military cooperation with Niger authorities, stating that the withdrawal of troops would likely be completed by the end of the year.

Macron emphasized that France's military presence in Niger was in response to a request from Niger's government at the time. The military cooperation between France and Niger had been suspended since the coup, with the junta leaders accusing Bazoum's government of failing to protect the country from insurgency. In August, the junta gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave, and when the deadline passed without France recalling him, the coup leaders revoked his diplomatic immunity. The junta is now facing sanctions from Western and regional African powers.

The announcement from France comes after the coup leaders declared the closure of Niger's airspace to French planes, both commercial and military, in order to regain control of the country's skies and territory. However, this decision does not apply to other international aircraft. The withdrawal of French forces from Niger marks a significant development in France's role in Africa. Experts argue that the era of France acting as Africa's "gendarme" may be coming to an end as the continent's priorities shift. This decision also raises questions about the future of U.S. deployments in Niger, as France and the U.S. have not shared the same positioning in the country.

Niger is expected to feel the loss of French support in its fight against violent extremist groups, as France has been a reliable partner providing assistance in operations. It remains to be seen how Niger will fill this void left by France in the short and medium term. Macron previously withdrew French troops from Mali and Burkina Faso after tensions arose with ruling juntas in those countries. France also suspended military operations with the Central African Republic, accusing the government of spreading anti-French disinformation.