Sub-Saharan Africa
Sputnik brings you all the most recent information, major events, heroes and views, including breaking news, images, videos, analyses, and features.

Last French Soldiers Leave Niger

© AFP 2023 -A French Army military vehicle belonging to a convoy of French troops is seen crossing the Lazaret district in Niamey on October 10, 2023.
A French Army military vehicle belonging to a convoy of French troops is seen crossing the Lazaret district in Niamey on October 10, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 22.12.2023
Subscribe
The withdrawal of French troops from Niger began in early October, nearly two months after the new Nigerien leadership requested it. The French troops, deployed in the West African country to fight terrorism, have failed to do so, according to the Nigerien leader, Abdrahamane Tiani, who seized power in a military coup in July.
The last French soldiers deployed in Niger left the country on Friday morning, the Nigerien army announced during a ceremony in Niamey marking the end of their presence after ten years of French anti-jihadist combat in the Sahel.
"Today's date [...] marks the end of the process of French troops withdrawal in the Sahel," a Nigerien army lieutenant, Salim Ibrahim announced.
The withdrawal of the French contingent was completed on December 22, as originally planned.
Under the terms of the agreement reached in October between France and the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), Niger's military ruling body, established after the coup in late July, about 1,400 French soldiers were to leave Niger by the end of December.
Military cooperation with France has been ceased in Niger, Burkina Faso and in Mali, which used to be French colonies.
Newsfeed
0