All French Troops Out of Niger at the End of This Year, President Macron: They Don't Want to Fight Terrorism Anymore

JAKARTA - President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday confirmed that the entire French military would be withdrawn from Niger by the end of this year, the latest development amid tense relations between the two countries, following the coming to power of the military junta last July.

"We ended our military cooperation with the de facto authorities of Niger, because they no longer want to fight terrorism," said President Macron regarding the military leaders who took power in Niger, reported by CNN, September 25.

So far, France has not recognized Niger's military authority, insisting President Mohamed Bazoum, ousted in a coup, remains the country's only legitimate president.

"We are not there to deal with domestic politics and be hostages to the rebels," President Macron said of the decision to end cooperation, referring to the military group.

President Macron explained that the French military withdrawal process will begin in the next few weeks.

"They will return in an orderly manner in the coming weeks and months, and for that, we will coordinate with the rebels because we want this to happen calmly," said President Macron.

Responding to a question about the exact timetable for his military withdrawal, President Macron said there would be no French troops in Niger by the end of 2023.

Not only the military, President Macron also decided to repatriate his ambassador to Niger Sylvain Itte to France.

"France has decided to send its ambassador home. In the next few hours, our ambassador together with several diplomats will return to France," said President Macron.

The announcement came a week after President Macron said his ambassador was "completely being held hostage in the French embassy and food is prohibited from being sent to the French embassy".

After the coup, Niger's military junta ordered Itte to leave the country, revoked his visa and ordered the police to expel him.

Meanwhile, Niger's ruling military said it welcomed France's decision to withdraw its troops from the country, according to a statement sent to Niger state television, Tele Sahel.

"This week, we celebrated another step towards Niger's sovereignty. French troops and the French Ambassador will leave Niger at the end of this year," the statement said.

"Imperialist and neo-colonialist forces are no longer welcome in our national territory," the statement continued.

"Any person, institution or structure whose presence threatens the interests and outlook of our country must leave our ancestral land, whether we like it or not. Our resistance will be unwavering, and we will confront any institution or structure that tries to challenge the higher interests of the country us," the statement stressed.

France has stationed military forces in the country, many of whom are there to assist with counterterrorism missions, on the basis that Niger is a relatively stable democracy in a region rife with political upheaval, terrorism and religious insurgency.