National Council of Niger Says Presence of French Forces in Country Not Welcome
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The presence of France's forces in Niger is not welcome, Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) said on Monday, commenting on the announced withdrawal of France from the African country.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country will organize a withdrawal of its troops from Niger in the coming weeks or months, adding that the French military will return to France until the end of 2023.
"Any person, organization or structure whose presence threatens the interests of our country must leave the land of our ancestors, whether they want it or not. The sovereign people of Niger recall the firm and inviolable principle of the withdrawal of foreign forces of the French junta. Imperialist and neo-colonial forces are not welcome on our national territory," the rebel-appointed government said in a statement.
A former French colony, Niger had remained the last of the Western states' allies in the Sahel. France has about 1,500 troops in Niger, most of whom are confined to the country's military base in Niamey.
On July 26, a coup took place in Niger. President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and detained by his own guard, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani. Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened military intervention if the rebels did not reinstate Bazoum.
