France has announced that it will pull out 1,500 soldiers from Niger, leaving a security vacuum in the region that is plagued by a decade-long Islamist insurgency. Analysts and diplomats warn that this could undermine Western efforts to counter the threat and pave the way for Russian influence.
France has been the main foreign power in West Africa, leading a coalition of European and African forces to fight against jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. The coalition, known as Operation Barkhane, has about 5,000 troops across the Sahel, a vast belt of semi-arid land south of the Sahara desert.
However, France has faced increasing criticism from some of its African partners, who accuse it of meddling in their affairs and failing to bring stability. President Emmanuel Macron has said he wants to reduce France’s military presence and focus on political and development solutions.
Niger, a former French colony, is one of the poorest countries in the world and a key ally of France in the region. It shares borders with Libya, Mali, Nigeria and Chad, all of which have experienced violence and instability. Niger also hosts a large U.S. drone base and a German military camp.
France’s decision to withdraw its troops from Niger comes as Russia is expanding its footprint in Africa, offering military and economic support to countries that are wary of Western influence. Russia has already established a strong presence in the Central African Republic, where it has deployed hundreds of mercenaries and advisers.
Some analysts fear that Russia could exploit the security gap left by France and seek to gain a foothold in Niger and other West African countries. This could pose a challenge to the interests and values of the West and its allies in the region.
The situation in West Africa is also a concern for the United Nations, which has a peacekeeping mission in Mali, the epicentre of the Islamist insurgency. The mission, known as MINUSMA, has been the deadliest in UN history, with more than 200 peacekeepers killed since 2013.
The UN has called for more international support and cooperation to address the root causes of the conflict, such as poverty, inequality, climate change and governance. The UN has also urged the West African countries to strengthen their own security forces and institutions and to promote dialogue and reconciliation.
Source: [Reuters]
