“We are in preparations for” the departure of the French military, also affirmed General Tiani, a week after Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of withdrawal.
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A week after Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of the departure of the French ambassador and the tricolor troops from Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani wants to lead the diplomatic dance between the two countries. “The people of Niger will now dictate the f“our relations with France”hammered the head of the military regime resulting from a coup d’état, Saturday September 30 in the evening, on national television.
The ambassador in Niamey, Sylvain Itté, already returned to Paris on Wednesday. The approximately 1,500 French soldiers will all have returned “by the end of the year”, promised Emmanuel Macron. The Nigerien regime had ordered the expulsion of the diplomat and denounced military cooperation agreements with Paris, repeating that it wanted the withdrawal of French troops. “We are preparing for their departure”, said General Tiani. Since coming to power on July 26, Niamey has been engaged in a standoff with France, which does not recognize the new authorities in Niger.
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“As they (the French) were there to fight terrorism and they unilaterally stopped all cooperation (…) their stay in Niger has come to an end”declared Abdourahamane Tiani. “They said they came to help eradicate terrorism. Not only did they not drive out the terrorists, but the terrorists are increasing in number,” he lamented. Seven soldiers were killed Thursday in western Niger during an attack by suspected jihadists, the new Minister of Defense announced.