U.S. agrees to withdraw American troops from Niger
Washington PostApr 28
Niger: France Reportedly in Talks for Possible Withdrawal
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Image copyright: US Army [via Wikimedia Commons]
The Facts
On Tuesday, France's ambassador to Mali and Senegal — citing unnamed sources — announced that France and Niger's military are in talks to “partially” withdraw the 1.5K French troops stationed in the West African nation.
French outlet Le Monde reported that neither the number of French soldiers involved nor the timing of their departure has been decided, adding that France has been in communication with regular army officials with whom France has long cooperated as opposed to the coup leaders.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
All parties involved in the current political crisis in Niger favor a diplomatic solution and have urged the coup leaders to reinstate Bazoum and tell their troops to return to their bases. The wave of authoritarian and anti-democratic coups in West Africa could destabilize the region, and a potential withdrawal of French forces would be a serious escalation in this crisis.
Establishment-critical narrative
Niger is a sovereign state, and if the country's leadership wants a French withdrawal, then that is what must be done. For too long, Western powers have felt as if they have the right to dictate the status quo in Africa and other Global South nations. However, times have changed, and France will continue to lose influence in its former colonies.
