His comments came after Niger’s military leaders said France was ignoring their request that 1,500 French soldiers stationed in Niger leave the country by September 3, Bloomberg reported. The Nigerian and French armies met earlier this month to discuss a plan to withdraw French troops from Niger. “To date, there has been no progress in the implementation of this plan,” Colonel Amadou Abdramane told public broadcaster Tele Sahel.
Tensions between Niger and its former colonial power have risen since the military overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and severed military ties with France. Macron said he would support the Economic Community of West African States’ decision to use force to restore democracy, although the regional bloc backed down from the threat and said diplomacy was its priority.
Abdramane previously said France was stationing troops in several West African countries in preparation for a possible regional military intervention aimed at overthrowing the army.
