First contingent of French troops withdrawn from Niger arrives in Chad

The first road convoy of French troops that were withdrawn from Niger following the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum arrived in Chad’s capital on Thursday (19 October), according to French military authorities.
The convoy arrived in N’Djamena “without any particular problems “after spending 10 days on the road in coordination with Nigerian forces, French army spokesperson Pierre Gaudilliere said. A French military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the “three borders” zone – between Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali -, where French troops were stationed, is known as a haven for the Islamic State (IS) group but the threat level for troops traveling from Niamey to N’Djamena was “low.” France deployed 1,400 soldiers, fighter jets, drones, helicopters and armored vehicles, in Niamey and western Niger to battle fighters linked to IS and al-Qaida.
This comes as French President Emmanuel Macron held talks on Wednesday (18 October) with Chad’s transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby over the withdrawal of French forces from Niger and regional crises in the Sahel. Both leaders reportedly discussed “all regional issues, including Sudan, Libya and Niger, as well as the return of our military resources to France,” during a meeting at the Elysée Palace. The French president’s office added that the meeting “also enabled the two presidents to discuss the continuation of the political transition in Chad.” Chad’s capital is the site of France’s military headquarters for the whole Sahel region, housing approximately 1,000 troops. From Chad, some French troops are scheduled to leave by air with their most sensitive equipment, while others will travel by land and sea. The pullout is expected to be completed by the end of December.