Paris will keep supporting ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and calling for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger despite the announced withdrawal of French troops from the country, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Monday.
"The announced decision does not change France's position on supporting President Bazoum and calling for the restoration of constitutional order with support of ECOWAS [the Economic Community of West African States]," Colonna said at a joint press conference with her Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani.
The top French diplomat also expressed her concern regarding the growing terrorist threat in the Sahel region.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris would withdraw its troops from Niger in the coming weeks or months, with the military expected to return to their homeland by the end of 2023. Paris also recalled French Ambassador to Niger Sylvain Itte and all staff of the French Embassy in the West African country. Currently, France has around 1,500 troops in Niger, most of whom are restricted to the country's military base in Niamey.
A coup in Niger took place on July 26. President Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. Following the coup, ECOWAS threatened intervention if the military did not reinstate Bazoum.