France Withdraws Troops from Niger in Response to Coup, Signaling Major Shift in Diplomatic Policy

France announced Sunday that it will end its military presence in Niger and withdraw its ambassador in response to a coup that removed the democratically elected president. This is a significant blow to France’s policy in Africa, as they have had to withdraw troops from Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years after similar coups.

In response, Niger’s junta said that the announcement signals a “new step towards the sovereignty” of the country. France had stationed thousands of troops in the Sahel region at the request of the democratically elected president, and the withdrawal of these troops is a major shift in France’s policy in the region.

The announcement comes as France’s Foreign Ministry is undertaking a sweeping review of its diplomatic corps, an effort driven by President Emmanuel Macron to adapt French diplomacy to 21st century challenges. Macron has been vocal about the need to modernize France’s diplomatic approach, and the withdrawal of troops from Niger is seen as a step in that direction.

The withdrawal of French troops from Niger is a major shift in France’s policy in the region, and it remains to be seen how it will affect the country’s diplomatic relations with its African neighbors. Macron’s efforts to modernize French diplomacy will be closely watched in the coming months as the country continues to adjust to the changing geopolitical landscape.