France's Armed Forces Ministry says the 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger will start withdrawing from border areas this week. The French base in the capital, Niamey, will be decommissioned by the end of the year, following French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement last month of an end to military cooperation with Niger's ruling military junta.
“The withdrawal of troops and military equipment begins this week,” the Armed Forces Ministry said in a statement, confirming that the exit should be complete by the end of the year.
