Niger’s Junta Breaks Military Agreements with France

Niger’s junta declared, in a televised announcement late Thursday, that it had decided to scrap cooperation agreements in the field of security and defense with France.
There are presently between 1,000 and 1,500 French soldiers deployed in Niger, which has become an essential staging ground in the fight against Islamist extremists affiliated with the “Islamic State” and al-Qaeda.
Following France’s withdrawal from Mali and Burkina Faso as a result of military coups in both countries, the government of deposed Nigerien President Bazoum was one of France’s last strategic partners in the volatile Sahel area.
It is presently unknown whether or not the French military will begin to withdraw from Niger. According to Le Monde, the French general staff in Paris does not recognize any other authority save Bazoum.
Counterterrorism activities carried out by France, under the Nigerien General Staff, have been discontinued since the July 26 coup led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The military junta also halted French foreign news networks France 24 and Radio France Internationale on Thursday.
On Niger’s Independence Day, thousands of people gathered in Niamey, waving Russian flags and anti-France banners.