France to withdraw troops and ambassador from Niger following coup, Macron announces

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will withdraw its ambassador and troops from Niger following the July coup that ousted democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum. Macron stated that military cooperation is over and the withdrawal will take place in the coming months, with a full pullout by the end of the year. The new military rulers had demanded the exit of the French ambassador and troops after Macron refused to recognize the coup. Tensions have been mounting, with protests in the capital Niamey, and the regional bloc ECOWAS imposing sanctions against Niger.