Tensions are rising between the two countries: French President Macron has announced the withdrawal of all soldiers and ambassadors from Niger. The military junta in Niamey closed its airspace to French aircraft.
After a military coup in Niger, French President Macron announced the end of his military cooperation with the country and the withdrawal of the ambassador from Niamey. French soldiers stationed in Niger must return by the end of the year, Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with TV channels TF1 and France 2.
France has about 1,500 troops in Niger. Paris repeatedly rejected the junta’s demands to withdraw its armed forces and expel the French ambassador – on the grounds that France did not recognize the rulers as legitimate.
A severe blow to France’s Africa policy
The withdrawal is a severe blow to France’s policy in Africa, following the withdrawal of French troops from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso following coup attempts in recent years. At the request of African leaders, France has deployed thousands of soldiers to the Sahel to fight against jihadist groups.
Tensions between France and Niger, a former French colony, have risen in recent weeks. In an interview with TV channels TF1 and France 2, Macron said he had spoken with ousted President Mohamed Bassum and that France had decided to bring back its ambassador. Macron said many diplomats would also return to France.
Phased withdrawal until year-end
And we will stop our military cooperation with the Nigerian authorities because they no longer want to fight against terrorism,” the French president said. The armed forces will be gradually withdrawn – probably by the end of the year – “because we want peace”, in coordination with the rulers.
Macron insisted that France’s military presence was in response to a request by the then Nigerian government. However, this military cooperation between France and Niger has been suspended since the coup.
Niger closes airspace to French aircraft
Over the weekend, the military junta raised the alert and announced the closure of airspace to French aircraft. Niger’s airspace is open to all domestic and international commercial flights “except for French aircraft or aircraft chartered by France, including Air France,” according to a statement posted on the website of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). . The airspace is closed to all military and special aircraft unless special permission is granted by the authorities.
When asked by the AFP news agency, Air France said it does not use Niger’s airspace. The most important airline for air traffic between Europe and Africa has suspended all flights to Niamey from August 7.
Niger’s airspace reopened on September 4 after a month-long closure. In early August, the country’s military leadership closed the airspace due to the “risk of interference”. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened military intervention to reinstate President Bassum, who was ousted in a coup on July 26.
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