Photo : Jerome Delay, AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Jerome Delay, AP Photo
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Niger: France withdraws its ambassador and troops over souring relations
On 25 September, Niger junta banned French aircraft from entering the country's airspace. The Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) stated that Niger's airspace were open to all commercial flights except to those chartered by France. On 26 September, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris will withdraw its ambassador and end all military cooperation with Niger. He added that French troops will withdraw in “the months to come.” Macron stated: "France has decided to withdraw its ambassador. In the next hours our ambassador and several diplomats will return to France. Nearly 1,500 French soldiers are present in Niger assisting to fight Islamsit militants. Following Macrons’ announcement, the military junta stated: "This Sunday we celebrate a new step towards the sovereignty of Niger.” France-Niger relations soured following the military coup in July and France refused to recognise the coup leadership. (“Niger's military bans French aircraft from its skies,” BBC, 25 September 2023; “France to pull troops and ambassador from Niger,” BBC, 25 September 2023)