Niger: French Troop Withdrawal Begins

Recent upheavals in the Sahel have brought an end to Françafrique, the term for France’s contentious relationship (which some analysts call “neocolonial”) with its former colonies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Between July 26 and 28, Abdourahamane Tchiani declared himself the new leader of Niger after ousting Mohamed Bazoum, the president who was democratically elected in 2021. This coup followed coups in Mali, Gambia, and Burkina Faso in previous years. All are former French colonies.

Niger was of particular strategic importance to Paris, given the rich uranium deposits that powered nuclear power plants in France and in much of the European Union. A contingent of 1,500 French soldiers was stationed in Niger and used partly to protect key uranium mines and partly to fight jihadist movements in cooperation with US troops.

After weeks of street protests, French troops will begin leaving Niger this week: “This week we will begin the withdrawal operation in strict order, in safety and in coordination with the Nigeriens,” French army sources explained.

To understand the atmosphere, suffice to remember that at the end of September, local authorities declared that “Niger’s airspace is open to all national and international commercial flights, with the exception of French aircraft or aircraft chartered by France, including Air France aircraft.” Subsequently, the French Ambassador in Niamey also returned to his homeland at the request of the new Nigerien authorities.