France is closing its embassy in the Niger Republic indefinitely as tensions between the two countries escalate.
This comes as the last French troops have left Niger after being ordered out by the country’s military leaders.
France has announced the withdrawal of approximately 1,500 soldiers and pilots from Niger, responding to demands from the country’s new ruling generals following a coup on July 26, 2023.
This marks the third instance in less than 18 months that French troops have been asked to leave a Sahel nation, with previous instances in Mali and Burkina Faso after military takeovers.
Despite the shared struggle against a jihadist insurgency originating in northern Mali in 2012, relations between these nations and France have deteriorated following a series of coups in the region.
The departure of the last French soldiers from an air base in Niamey, the capital of Niger, occurred aboard two aircraft, though their destination remains unclear. Niger army lieutenant Salim Ibrahim stated that this date signifies the completion of the disengagement process of French forces in the Sahel.
While approximately 1,000 French troops continue to remain in neighboring Chad, where France has centered its Sahel anti-jihadist operations, there is no longer a French military presence in the three main countries grappling with extremist threats. The withdrawal from Niger, initiated in October, involved 145 flights and 15 ground convoys.
Additionally, following the troop withdrawal, the French embassy in Niger will be temporarily closed. This decision comes in the wake of an attack on the embassy on July 30 and the subsequent blockade around the building by Niger forces.
Most of the diplomatic staff had already left since late September, rendering the embassy incapable of normal functioning.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES ON PRUDENCE JOURNAL
Jumia stops food delivery services in Nigeria and other African markets over profitability concerns
Tems opens up on pregnancy rumours with US rapper Future, says she got death threats
US House of Reps launches Republican impeachment inquiry against Biden
Afrobeat superstar Wizkid donates N100 million to children for Christmas
South African singer Zahara dies of liver complication at 36
Nigeria’s central bank to freeze accounts without BVN or NIN
Elon Musk blasts advertisers who pulled spending from X
70-years-old woman delivers twins after 40 years of barrenness
Israel Fails to Provide Evidence of Hamas Command Center in Al-Shifa Hospital Raid