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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Jason Burke International security correspondent

France’s departure from Niger reflects years of failure in its former colonies

Women waving Niger flags, blowing horns and holding placards.
Protesters in Niamey, Niger, in August. The sign reads ‘We no longer want France’. Photograph: Mahamadou Hamidou/Reuters

When the French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced he would withdraw France’s ambassador and troops from Niger after a military takeover, the new regime welcomed a historic step forward for the country.

“Imperialist and neocolonialist forces are no longer welcome on our national territory,” it said. “The new era of cooperation, based on mutual respect and sovereignty, is already under way.”

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