U.S. agrees to withdraw American troops from Niger
Washington PostMAR 31 2024
Niger: France Reportedly in Talks for Possible Withdrawal
Image copyright: US Army [via Wikimedia Commons]
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
All parties involved in the current political crisis in Niger favor a diplomatic solution and have urged the coup leaders to reinstate Bazoum and tell their troops to return to their bases. The wave of authoritarian and anti-democratic coups in West Africa could destabilize the region, and a potential withdrawal of French forces would be a serious escalation in this crisis.
Establishment-critical narrative
Niger is a sovereign state, and if the country's leadership wants a French withdrawal, then that is what must be done. For too long, Western powers have felt as if they have the right to dictate the status quo in Africa and other Global South nations. However, times have changed, and France will continue to lose influence in its former colonies.