The final batch of more than a decade of French anti-jihadist operations in West Africa’s Sahel region unfolds on Friday as the last French troops exit Niger.
This withdrawal follows a demand from Niger’s new ruling generals for the departure of roughly 1,500 French soldiers and pilots, signaling a pivotal moment in the post-coup landscape that emerged on July 26.
The departure of French forces from Niger leaves behind a contingent of hundreds of US military personnel, along with Italian and German troops.
France’s decision to withdraw its troops marks the third instance in less than 18 months where French forces were compelled to leave a Sahel country. Similar scenarios unfolded in Mali last year and Burkina Faso earlier this year, both following military takeovers in those nations.
All three countries—Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—are grappling with a persistent jihadist insurgency that originated in northern Mali in 2012 before spreading to neighboring nations.
Despite shared security challenges, a series of coups in the region since 2020 has strained relations between the affected nations and their former colonial power, France. Furthermore, there is a discernible shift towards establishing closer ties with Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously declared the withdrawal of all French troops from Niger by the end of the year, with an initial contingent departing in October. Last week, the Nigerien army confirmed that the complete departure of French forces would be realized by Friday.
The conclusion of French military involvement in Niger marks a significant turning point in the geopolitical landscape of the Sahel region.
