Niger Leaders Seek 'Negotiated Framework' For French Troop Withdrawal

The Leaders of the coup in Niger are demanding a "negotiated framework" for the withdrawal of French troops, challenging France's commitment to complete the withdrawal by year-end, according to a statement from the new military regime. The statement, broadcast on national TV on Monday, called for the timeline of the French troop withdrawal to be established through mutual agreement within a negotiated framework. This development comes almost two months after the ousting of Niger's democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, on July 26. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday that Paris would recall its ambassador from Niger, followed by the withdrawal of the French military contingent in the coming months, in response to the post-coup regime's demands in Niamey. Macron declared an end to military cooperation and outlined plans for a full troop withdrawal "by the end of the year." France maintains approximately 1,500 soldiers in its former West African colony as part of an anti-jihadist deployment in the Sahel. Niger's coup, the third in the region in recent years following similar events in Mali and Burkina Faso, prompted the removal of French troops in those nations as well. Macron asserted that Niger's post-coup authorities were no longer interested in counterterrorism efforts. Niger's leaders, who have welcomed France's announcement, are now awaiting concrete actions from the French authorities. There have been no visible signs of movement at France's embassy in Niamey since Sunday. France has not recognized the authority of the military leaders and continues to demand the restoration of Mohamed Bazoum. In early August, the coup leaders renounced several military cooperation agreements with France and declared the presence of French troops on its soil as "illegal." In response, France's ambassador was ordered to leave, a move contested by Paris, which insisted that only Bazoum's ousted government had the authority to expel the ambassador. Niger's population has actively called for the withdrawal of French troops, with numerous demonstrations taking place in the capital, Niamey, in recent weeks. The United States, with approximately 1,100 military personnel in Niger, has stated that it will "evaluate" its response to the crisis following France's announcement. Niger currently confronts two jihadist insurgencies—one spilling over from Nigeria in the southeast and another originating from Mali and Burkina Faso in the west. On Tuesday, Niger's armed forces reported two civilian casualties resulting from a homemade bomb explosion in the Tillaberi tri-border region, where Niger meets Mali and Burkina Faso. Additionally, they confirmed the detention of around 20 "suspects" in the area during operations conducted between September 11 and 16.