France withdrawing envoy and troops from Niger, Macron says

macron

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on after giving a speech. PHOTO | AFP

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced that France would withdraw its ambassador from Niger, followed by the French military contingent in the coming months, a move welcomed by Niger's military leaders as a "step towards sovereignty".

Macron's announcement comes two months after a coup in the west African country that ousted the pro-Paris president.