Niger’s military leadership has stated that there should be a “negotiated framework” established with Paris to coordinate the withdrawal of French troops.
Niger responded to Sunday’s announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron that French troops would withdraw by the end of the year, and that the French ambassador to Niger would leave immediately.
They have expressed that they await “official acts” from the French authorities following the announcement.
There has not yet been any sign that the French ambassador, Sylvain Itté, has left the residence in Niamey. Macron had said on Sunday that Itté would return to Paris “within the next few hours.”
Following the coup in July, which ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, in August the leadership demanded that the French troops withdraw.
This call came amidst rising anti-French sentiment in the aftermath of the coup.
Niger’s new leadership says the French soldiers’ presence is “illegal” and demanded their departure, as well as that of Itté.