- France has called back its envoy and announced the end of its military presence in coup-hit Niger.
- France’s government has taken this decision after the protests by people against the French army presence.
- The French president further said that the military cooperation with the Niger has over.
- Currently, as part of an anti-jihadist deployment in the Sahel region, there are about 1,500 French troops in the Niger.
- For years, anti-French sentiment was running in the Niger. Local politicians are blaming the French government for carrying out neo-colonialist policies.
- However, it is assumed that Russia’s Wagner group played a key role in toppling the civilian government.
- Niger is one of several former French colonies in West Africa.
Niger
- It is a landlocked country in West Africa.
- It is bordered by Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Algeria.
- Its capital is Niamey and the currency is West African CFA franc.
- Ali Lamine Zeine is the current Prime Minister.