According to a report, the french president said that France was withdrawing its ambassador to Niger, who is expected to return to France in the next hours, along with other diplomats. Reportedly, the president added that french troops will be withdrawing from Nuger in the months to come. There are about 1500 french troops in Niger, and reportedly 1000 u.s. troops, but they have not been asked to leave.
According to the report, the decision to withdraw follows months of protests in the country. Reportedly, Niger is only one former french colony where the military has seized control, following Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Chad and Gabon. According to the report, many politicians have accused France of carrying out neocolonialist policies.
Reportedly, Niger’s airspace will be closed to french commercial flights and all military flights unless they receive prior authorisation. According to the report, Niger hosts the u.s.’s largest drone base in the region, which also trained Niger’s soldiers. It is unclear if training operations will resume. Reportedly, there have been concerns in the west over the growing role of wagner in the region.