France to withdraw troops from Niger by year end: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday evening that France would withdraw its troops deployed in Niger by the end of 2023.

Speaking in a televised interview, Macron said that the 1,500 French soldiers deployed in Niger to fight against terrorism in the Sahel region would "return in an orderly manner" by the end of the year.

"We are ending our military cooperation with the de facto authorities of Niger because they no longer want to fight against terrorism," he said, adding that France would consult with the military junta to make the withdrawal "done peacefully."

"We will continue to support the African continent in the fight against terrorism, but we only do so if it is at the request of democratically elected powers and regional authorities," Macron said.

The French president also confirmed that the French ambassador to Niger would return shortly to France.