France’s forces are in Niamey “illegally” after the new military government revoked agreements last month, Ali Lamine Zeine says
Niger expects a quick withdrawal of French troops after relations between France and the West African country deteriorated following a military takeover in July, military-appointed prime minister Ali Lamine Zeine has said.
“The government has already revoked the deals that allow for the French troops to operate on our territory,” the military-appointed prime minister told reporters in the capital Niamey on Monday.
The French forces are in Niger “illegally,” Zeine said, adding that “talks are underway, which should allow for a swift withdrawal.”
Paris withdrew troops from Burkina Faso earlier this year after the country’s military rulers asked them to leave. France also pulled its forces out of Mali following tensions with the military government following a coup in 2020.
Protests calling for the withdrawal of the French Army from Niamey have increased since the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
Earlier last month, Niger’s coup leaders announced the cancellation of military agreements that allowed French forces to fight jihadist insurgents in the Sahel region, giving the former colonial power only a month to pull out its 1,500 troops.
The military authorities have also ordered the “immediate expulsion” of France’s ambassador, Sylvain Itte, after he refused to meet with the military leaders, whom France has repeatedly labeled “illegitimate.”
