Lieutenant Salim Ibrahim of the Niger army declared at a ceremony in Niamey that today’s date signifies the conclusion of the disengagement process of French forces in the Sahel. As France’s military presence comes to an end, it is important to note that there are still numerous US military personnel, as well as Italian and German troops, remaining in Niger.
Following the coup on July 26, the ruling generals of the former French colony demanded the departure of approximately 1,500 French soldiers and pilots. This led to France’s decision to withdraw its forces from Niger. Interestingly, this is the third instance in less than 18 months where French troops have been compelled to leave a Sahel country.
Previously, they were forced to depart from Mali last year and Burkina Faso earlier this year due to military takeovers in those nations as well. All three countries are currently grappling with a jihadist insurgency that originated in northern Mali in 2012 and subsequently spread to Niger and Burkina Faso.
However, the region has experienced a series of coups since 2020, resulting in strained relations with France, its former colonial power, and a shift towards closer ties with Russia. In September, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the complete withdrawal of French troops from Niger by the end of the year, with the initial contingent leaving in October.
The Nigerien army confirmed last week that the departure of French forces would be finalized by Friday.
Dangerous desert routes
The majority of French troops stationed in Niger are located at an air base in the capital city of Niamey.
Smaller groups have been deployed alongside Nigerien soldiers to the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, where jihadist groups affiliated with the Islamic State group and al Qaeda are known to operate.
The process of withdrawal is a complex operation, as road convoys must travel up to 1,700 kilometers (1,000 miles) on treacherous desert routes to reach the French center for Sahel operations in neighboring Chad.
The first convoy of French troops withdrawing from Niger arrived in the capital city of N’Djamena in Chad in October, after spending 10 days on the road.
From Chad, French troops have the option to depart by air with their most sensitive equipment, while the majority of their other equipment must be transported by land and sea.
According to a source familiar with the matter, some of the French containers carrying equipment will be driven from Chad to the port of Douala in Cameroon, before being transported back to France by sea.
US and German troops are also present in Niger. In October, a US official stated that Washington had approximately 1,000 military personnel in Niger, but they were no longer actively involved in training or assisting Niger forces.
Earlier this month, the United States expressed its willingness to resume cooperation with Niger on the condition that the military regime committed to a swift transition to civilian rule.
Niger’s current leaders are proposing a transition period of up to three years before returning to a civilian government.
Military leaders in Niamey recently announced the termination of two security and defense missions conducted by the European Union in the country.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited Niger earlier this week to discuss the future of approximately 120 German troops stationed in the country.
In September, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formed a joint defense pact to combat jihadist groups.
France’s departure from Mali in the previous year resulted in a lingering sense of dissatisfaction, as the Wagner Russian paramilitary group swiftly seized control of the former French bases in Menaka, Gossi, and Timbuktu.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
