Africa Matters

France starts pulling soldiers out of Niger

Emmanuel Macron’s military drawdown in Africa’s Sahel region continues. France started to pull troops from Niger on Thursday, the French armed forces ministry said in a statement. “The disengagement of military personnel and assets stationed in Niger begins this week. This maneuver should enable all military personnel to return to France before the end of the year,” the statement…

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UN cautions of “deteriorating security situation” in West Africa

The UN cautioned of a “deteriorating security situation” in West Africa on Tuesday, after a coup in Niger. “The unfolding crisis, if not addressed will exacerbate the deteriorating security situation in the region,” warned Leonardo Santos Simao, the chief of the United Nations Office for West Africa as well as the Sahel. “It will also negatively impact the development…

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Niger President Mohamed Bazoum held by guards in ‘attempted coup’

The country’s African neighbours condemned the uprising, while the presidency said the army was ready to attack the guards if they did not come to their senses The UN, US and EU also slammed the power grab, amid concerns that West Africa’s seventh coup since 2020 could be under way Presidential guards were holding Niger President Mohamed Bazoum inside…

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