France to Pull More Than 2,000 Troops From Africa’s Sahel

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum (L) attend a video summit with leaders of G5 Sahel countries after France's decision last month to reduce French anti-terror troops in West Africa, at the Elysee presidential Palace in Paris, France, on July 9, 2021. Stephane de Sakutin, Pool photo via AP

PARIS—France will withdraw more than 2,000 troops from an anti-extremism force in Africa’s Sahel region by early next year and pivot its military presence to specialized regional forces instead, President Emmanuel Macron said Friday.

Macron announced last month a future reduction of France’s military presence, arguing that it’s no longer adapted to the needs in the area. The French Barkhane force, operating in Mali, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, had also met opposition from some Africans.