Niger’s military leaders have announced that the initial convoy of French troops will commence preparations for departure from the Sahel country on Tuesday, following orders from the coup leaders demanding their withdrawal.
This announcement coincides with Algeria’s decision to “postpone” its mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
“Operations for the departure of the first convoy escorted by our defence and security forces will begin tomorrow,” said a statement read on state television Monday.
The statement did not specify the destination of the convoy.
Niger’s ruling generals had demanded the withdrawal of approximately 1,400 French troops shortly after they seized power at the end of July.
The presence of French soldiers in Niger is part of a broader effort to combat jihadist groups throughout the Sahel region.
After some meetings and “exchanges between our authorities and the French side, a timetable for the withdrawal of their troops has been determined with mutual agreement”, Monday’s statement said.
During the weekend, multiple convoys were observed transferring between bases in the northwest, situated near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, where 400 troops are stationed, as well as within the capital city of Niamey, as reported by sources in Niger and French security.
Subsequently, at least two convoys have been granted permission to provide essential supplies to the Ouallam and Tabarey-Barey bases. Additionally, a number of French soldiers have been identified as high-priority individuals for relocation to Niamey.
The French troops have been grappling with uncertainty ever since the new regime began insisting on their departure, facing irregular food supplies and frequent anti-French protests outside the Niamey base.
The exit strategy for troops in Niger remains uncertain as land borders with Benin and Nigeria are currently closed.
The Niger government has additionally prohibited French civilian and military aircraft from transiting its airspace without obtaining special authorization.
Borders have been reopened with Algeria, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad, the latter being where a French command is stationed in the capital, N’Djamena.
