A domino effect that never stops growing. After that Financial And Burkina Faso, Withdrawal of French troops Niger It highlights France’s loss of influence in African countries. In a television interview devoted mainly to purchasing power issues tenant President marked by persistent inflation Emmanuel Macron Last Sunday, he revealed what represented one of the biggest disruptions in his life. Troubled politics in Africa. Confirmed a seemingly pre-written scenario after the coup in Niamey on 26 July and the new military authorities asked to break With military cooperation with Paris.
The centrist leader guaranteed an “orderly” withdrawal of troops during the intervention in TF1 and France 2.in the coming weeks and months” and will be concluded “before the end of the year.” Other than that, very few details are known. In fact, it is not known whether all of them exist. 1,500 soldiers Those deployed in Niger will return to France. Or some of it will be sent to other French bases in Africa; for example ChadAnother country in the unstable region beach.
After the expiry of the period Anti-jihad operation Barkhane —It lasted about 10 years and its longevity is anti-French sentiment France considered Nigerun as a strategic point with its military intervention in the region and the withdrawal of its soldiers from Burkina Faso. He turned it into the African country with the largest French military presence: 1,500 soldiers. a total of 5,650 across the continent. However, the coup at the end of July put French officials on the wrong track. Military and geopolitical value attached to this country as well as economic interests – Niger provides 25% of Europe’s imports uraniumIt is an important mineral for nuclear energy– He supported the difficult position of Paris against the new regime in Niamey.
Little support from allies
After a two month break intense pulseIn the end, the reality principle prevailed. The French Government did not explain in detail the reasons why it agreed to the withdrawal of troops deployed within the official framework of the fight against jihadism. “We are ending our military cooperation with the authorities” actual “In Niger, they don’t want to fight terrorism anymore, because they don’t want to fight terrorism anymore,” Macron said, referring to a demand formulated by military officials in early August to end military cooperation. Since then, French soldiers in this African country have been treated as outcasts and humiliated. Demonstrations against their existence are common. It’s a similar situation to that of the French ambassador, who has already returned to Paris this week.
The Niger regime prevailed in this fight with France due to a lack of support in Paris’ harsh defense of the deposed president. Muhammad Bazum. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) In August, he hinted that he was considering military intervention in Niger, but preferred the diplomatic route and sanctions. It is stated that this operation, which is opposed by the African Union, is not currently possible. Although France welcomed this option, it did not gain the support of many of its Western allies, who deemed France’s anger “excessive”. “I heard in Washington and other European capitals that we are overacting. This is not right, we must be consistent,” Macron said in late August. said.
The future of the French soldiers in Niger and the future of the Americans are quite contrasting. Washington has 1,100 troops deployed in this country It has an important base for surveillance and drone attacks. The new Nigerian regime did not request withdrawal. Recently, US troops have partially resumed activities that are officially aimed at combating jihadism, but also serve to defend North American interests on a continent. rival or emerging powers increasingly hold greater weightLike China, Russia, Türkiye, Israel.
“It comes off hysterically and emotionally.”
One of the questions that arises after the withdrawal of French troops from Niger is whether this will be a privilege. Increase in the activities of radical Islamist groups. Although recent cases in Mali and Burkina Faso point to a more uncertain scenario, French officials warn that it will happen: Jihadist organizations are very difficult to eliminate – the Barkhane operation itself did not succeed – but the absence of French soldiers and lead to an extraordinary increase in their activity? “We cannot say that jihadist groups have dramatically strengthened their influence in the Sahel.”says Jean-Hervé Jézéquel, director of the International Crisis Group’s Sahel project, in an article for the newspaper ‘La Croix’.
Niger’s withdrawal calls into question the whole issue, as well as military space and the fight against terrorism France’s position towards the African continentespecially towards the former French-speaking colonies where anti-French sentiment was strongest. At the end of February, Macron had already advocated a slow and gradual withdrawal of the military presence in return. Strengthening economic and cultural ties.
And now he is forced to step up that bet in an unpredictable and unfavorable environment. “France must come out hysterically and emotionally and very coldly redefine its relations with French-speaking countries in Africa. It is no longer the power it was in the 1960s. It has lost its influence and needs to redefine its relationships to maximize its interests in Africa while helping former colonies escape massive poverty,” advises Paul-Simon Handy, regional director for East Africa at the Institute for Economic Research, in Le Monde newspaper.