The French General Staff announced Thursday in a statement that it will begin withdrawing its forces from Niger “this week,” meaning before Sunday, with the process ending by the end of the year. An official source indicated that the security situation in the country has witnessed a "deterioration in recent days."

The withdrawal of French military forces stationed in Niger "will begin this week," the French General Staff announced Thursday in a statement. President Emmanuel Macron had previously stated that the last French soldiers would leave the poor country located in sub-Saharan Africa by the end of this year.

The Chief of Staff wrote in its statement: “We will begin the withdrawal process this week, in a regular and safe manner, in cooperation with the Nigerians.”