Niger’s capital, Niamey, witnessed the departure of the final contingent of French troops on Friday, signaling the conclusion of over ten years of French-led counterterrorism operations against jihadist factions in West Africa’s Sahel region.
This significant development comes after the military regime in Niger demanded the withdrawal of French forces following a coup on July 26.
“Today’s date (…) marks the end of the disengagement process of French forces in the Sahel,” Niger army lieutenant Salim Ibrahim said.
France had pledged to withdraw its approximately 1,500 soldiers and pilots from Niger after the nation’s ruling generals requested their departure earlier this year, marking the third instance within 18 months that French troops were compelled to leave a Sahel country due to political upheaval.
The exit of French troops leaves behind a contingent of several hundred US military personnel, alongside Italian and German troops, continuing their presence in Niger.
The Sahel region, encompassing Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has been grappling with a persistent jihadist insurgency since its eruption in northern Mali in 2012.
However, this departure signifies a souring of relations between France and the Sahel nations due to a series of coups in the region since 2020.
Consequently, these countries have shown inclinations towards forging stronger ties with Russia, a significant geopolitical shift.
President Emmanuel Macron had earlier announced France’s intention to withdraw all troops from Niger by the year-end, commencing the process with an initial contingent departing in October.
The logistical complexities of the withdrawal were evident as French convoys traveled extensive desert routes, covering up to 1,700 kilometers, to reach the French operational center in neighboring Chad.
This intricate operation involves transporting equipment by both land and sea routes, with some containers bound for the port of Douala in Cameroon before being shipped back to France.
Moreover, the geopolitical landscape in the wake of France’s departure from the region is evolving, with the US reassessing its military presence and commitment in Niger while urging a swift return to civilian rule by the military leadership.
Meanwhile, European nations like Germany are deliberating the fate of their troops stationed in Niger, emphasizing the ongoing shift in regional security dynamics. Notably, the Sahel nations joined forces in September to form a joint defense pact to combat the persistent threat posed by jihadist elements.
France’s previous withdrawal from Mali saw its vacated bases swiftly occupied by Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, leaving an unsettling aftermath and underscoring the evolving power dynamics in the region.
The departure of French troops marks the end of an era in the Sahel, prompting a reconfiguration of security alliances and strategies among nations combating the escalating jihadist insurgency.
