Emmanuel Macron retires the 1,500 French soldiers from Niger
- Since the July coup d'état, there have been numerous protests in Niger to expel any French influence from the country. Macron announces that soldiers will be expelled “orderly” in the coming months.
“Françafrique is over, we will not intervene when there are coups d’état,” says French President Emmanuel Macron. In Niger, there are about 1,500 soldiers of the French army, including former President Mohamed Bazoum, arrested by soldiers in the French Coup d ' état of 26 July, a supporter of France. For just two months, Macron announces that he has ordered the withdrawal of these soldiers, due to the stabilization of the coup and the military junta. He explains that they will exit in an orderly manner in the coming months. He explains that the French ambassador will also return to Paris.
That was what the citizens and army of Niger called for in recent weeks: Expulsion of French soldiers and departure from the country from the forces of the former colonizers. It is noteworthy that the coup d’état was supported by the citizens, who applauded the cessation of Bazoum. The military team that struck the coup argued that the president was unable to manage the “security problems” and questioned their governance.
It must be borne in mind that they have been in the lands of Niger, where they still have 1,000 troops, as The Guardian has recalled, and the French troops, among other reasons, arguing that it is to deal with the increase in jihadist attacks in the Sahel area. Macron says that they have always been willing to help Africa in the fight against jihadists “at the behest of democratically elected governments or institutions”: “We have been there because Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali asked us to help them fight terrorism in their territories. Now these countries have been victims of coups d’état.”
French influence weakens
The final decision of the French President shows that the influence of Françafrique has changed in Sahel and that the voice against the former colonizers has gained strength. International analysts stress that the Sahel countries are increasing their partnerships with Russia, China and Turkey, and Western influence is weakening.
In the last LARRUN you can read some of the causes underlying the proliferation of coups d'état in Africa and the instability of these countries: Colonial roots of current conflicts.
