A coalition of Nigerien civil society groups opposed to the presence of French forces in the country Friday launched a three-day sit-in to demand the departure of the French contingent.
The Nation reports that there are about 1,500 such troops in Niger, who are mainly deployed to help fight the jihadist insurgency in the region.
The M62 group said the French have outlived their usefulness in their country while another group, the Patriotic Front for the Sovereignty of Niger plans to kick off its own protests today and will continue “until the departure of all French soldiers.”
