France to Pull Troops Out of Niger Only If Requested by Ousted President, Macron says again

Earlier in the day, Niger's military leadership accused France of deploying forces in some West African countries to conduct military intervention in the country.

France does not recognize Niger's rebel authorities and, therefore, will agree to withdraw its troops from the country only if requested to do so by ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday.

 "French troops were deployed on the territory of Niger at the request of Niger itself ... France's position is simple: we condemn it [the military takeover], we demand the release of President Bazoum and the restoration of constitutional order, and we do not recognize the legitimacy of the rebels' statements ... And if we ever redeploy troops, we will do so at the request of President Bazoum," Macron said at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.