Paris refuses to withdraw its troops from Niger
France has pledged to uphold military deals made with Niger’s ‘legitimate authorities’ | France has insisted on fulfilling five military cooperation agreements with Niger because the accords were signed with the West African state’s ‘legitimate authorities,’ despite the former colony’s newly installed junta calling for the deals to be revoked. ● Abdourahamane Tchiani, formerly the chief of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself head of the transitional government two days after his forces overthrew Bazoum’s administration. The cessation of the military accords would require France to remove the 1,000 to 1,500 troops it has stationed in the African country. A small number of United States soldiers are also deployed in Niger, a territory viewed as geopolitically significant due to its rich mineral resources and borders with seven countries, including Libya, Chad and Nigeria.
■ Niger junta turns to Wagner for help (RT.com)