French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the withdrawal of its ambassador and troops from Niger in the wake of the July coup.

In a televised interview, Macron said our ambassador and diplomatic staff will be home in hours while 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger would withdraw in the months and weeks to come with the pullout to be completed by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Niger’s military rulers have welcomed the announcement saying French troops withdrawal will be a new step towards sovereignty.