the military regime resulting from the coup d’état wants a “negotiated framework” for the withdrawal of French soldiers

The military regime of Niger affirmed, Monday September 25, that it wanted “a negotiated framework” with France for the withdrawal of French troops from its soil, which he had been demanding for several weeks and which Emmanuel Macron announced for the end of 2023.

The military, who came to power on July 26 after a putsch, believe that the departure of the 1,500 French soldiers deployed in the fight against terrorism must “be established by mutual agreement for greater efficiency”according to a press release read on national television.

An “illegal” French presence according to the putschists

The day before, Emmanuel Macron had announced the withdrawal of soldiers from Niger by the end of the year and the return to Paris of the ambassador to Niamey, Sylvain Itté, “in the next few hours”two requirements of the military.

The Nigerien regime says it is waiting “that this declaration be followed by official acts emanating from the competent French authorities” but no particular movement suggesting a departure of Sylvain Itté has been observed since Sunday evening around the embassy in Niamey.

At the beginning of August, a few days after the putsch, the military denounced several military cooperation agreements with Paris, before describing it as“illegal” the presence of French soldiers on their soil. They then demanded, at the end of August, the expulsion of the French ambassador.