Bamako, Sept. 1, 2023: Without France’s military operations in the Sahel “there would probably no longer be a Mali … Burkina Faso, and I’m not sure there would still be Niger”, French President Emmanuel Macron told French publication Le Point.
Macron is referring to the former colonial power’s interventions in the mid-2000s, Operations Serval and Barkhane.
French troops were moved from Mali to Niger after its military leaders cut ties with the former colonial power.
He said the interventions were done “at the request of African states” and were “successful” as his policy is facing scrutiny in the face of losing the allyship of last remaining ally, Niger, and increasing negative sentiment from Africans.
He went on to explain that while these operations reflect France’s “honour” and “responsibility”, France could no longer remain involved “when there is a coup d’état, and the priority of the new regimes is not to fight terrorism” even though this is “tragic for the states concerned”.
In the interview, Macron defended his administration’s policy in the Sahel as one of partnership rather than focusing on security.
France refuses to acknowledge coup leader General Abdurahman Tchiani’s announcement that all military deals between Niger and France are terminated, and more than a thousand French troops remain stationed at a military base there.
Macron had in a foreign policy speech to ambassadors gathered in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French envoy Sylvain Itte was still in Niger’s capital Niamey, despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave the country.
“France and its diplomats have faced particularly difficult situations in some countries in recent months, from Sudan, where France has been exemplary, to Niger at this very moment and I applaud your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their posts,” Macron said.
Macron insisted that France would not change position in condemning the coup and offered support to Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, stressing he had been democratically elected and was being “courageous” by refusing to resign.
“Our policy is clear: we do not recognise the putschists,” Macron said.
Niger junta gives French ambassador 48 hour ultimatum to leave country
Niamey also cited French government actions that were “contrary to the interests of Niger”.
Paris rejected the demand and said the “putschists do not have the authority to make this request”.
The French President demanded the release of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum who was detained on July 26, 2023, in a military coup led by the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Macron, also called for a return to democratic order in Niger, a former French colony whose elected leadership was toppled in a military coup in July.
Leaders in the Economic Community of West African States bloc said that they would keep all options on the table for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and ordered the activation of an ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Former colonial ruler France and the European Union suspended security cooperation and financial aid to Niger following the coup, while the United States warned that its aid could also be at stake.
