The withdrawal of French troops from Niger begins today, under the protection of the Nigerien army, as announced by the military council that came to power following a coup in July. The military council stated in a communiqué that "the operations for the departure of the first convoy under the protection of our defense and security forces will begin today, Tuesday." It added that "following meetings and communications between our authorities and the French side, a timeline for the withdrawal of its forces was mutually agreed upon."
After seizing power, the coup leaders issued a decision calling for the withdrawal of around 1,400 French soldiers from the Sahel country, and French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his troops would leave the country by the end of September. Over the past weekend, movements of several convoys were reported between forward bases in the northwest, where 400 soldiers are stationed, and the capital, Niamey, according to Nigerien and French security sources speaking to AFP.
On July 27, military personnel in Niger announced the dismissal of President Mohamed Bazoum and placed him under house arrest, alongside closing the borders, a move met with rejection from Western nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which imposed sanctions on Niger. The National Defense Council was formed, headed by guard commander Abdourahamane Tiani, to govern the country. On August 10, Tiani signed a decree to establish a transitional government.
