French troops begin withdrawal from Niger

A convoy of French troops based in Niger drives by as they prepare to leave Niger, in Niamey, October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Mahamadou Hamidou

NIAMEY (Reuters) - French military convoys have begun withdrawing from bases in southwest Niger, marking the start of a departure demanded by Niger's junta that has dealt a further blow to France's influence in West Africa's conflict-hit Sahel region.

Pickup trucks and armoured personnel carriers laden with French troops drove through the dusty outskirts of the capital Niamey on Tuesday, a Reuters reporter said, after the junta late on Monday said the withdrawal would kick off the following day.