US considering options in Niger after withdrawal of French troops

(Patria) - The United States said on Monday it would "assess" its next steps regarding the crisis in Niger after France announced a complete withdrawal of troops as demanded by the leaders of the military coup, AFP reported.

France has 1,500 soldiers in Niger, and the United States has 1,100.

"While we give diplomacy a chance, we will also continue to assess all future steps that would prioritize both our diplomatic and security goals," said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to reporters in Nairobi. He stressed that Washington "has not made any significant change in the posture of our forces and... we really want to see a diplomatic solution, a peaceful end" to the crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday that France would soon withdraw its ambassador from Niger, and that French troops would leave by the end of the year.

The decision came two months after the July 26 coup overthrew pro-Paris President Mohamed Bazoum.

Macron added that military cooperation is "over" and that French troops would withdraw in the "coming months and weeks" with a complete withdrawal "by the end of the year."

The Pentagon announced on September 7 that some US troops were being relocated as a precaution from a base in the capital Niamey to an air base in the north in the Agadez region.

"We will make an assessment of what France's withdrawal of its troops from Niger means, but for now we are just focused on continuing that move," said Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokesperson.

The United States announced on September 18 that it was resuming surveillance flights over Niger that were halted by the coup, while other operations remain on hold.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Niamey in support of the coup leaders and the demand for the French ambassador and troops to leave. The military regime welcomed the withdrawal, saying "this week we celebrate a new step towards Niger's sovereignty."