The military junta in Niger wanted to withdraw its soldiers after a coup d’état harmed relations between the two nations, but French President Emmanuel Macron rejected the idea.
Following the July 26 revolution that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum and severed military ties with France, tensions have increased between Niger and its former colonial power.
Macron has indicated that he would support the Economic Community of West African States’ use of force to reestablish democracy, but the group has since changed its position and said that diplomacy is its top priority in resolving the Niger crisis.
As the G-20 summit came to an end in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, Macron said, “If we redeploy, I would only do it at the request of President Bazoum.” Macron was referring to the deposed president of Niger.
“We reject the putschists’ declarations as having no foundation in reality.
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After the ruling junta complained that France was not heeding its demand that the 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger leave by September 3, Macron made his comments.
A junta representative claimed over the weekend that French and Nigerian military officials had spoken earlier this month to plan a strategy for the withdrawal of French troops from Niger.
According to Abdramane, there has been no advancement in the plan’s execution as of right now, according to national broadcaster Tele Sahel.
“France is still stationing troops in a number of Ecowas nations as it gets ready to attack Niger with the aid of the local bloc.
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