By Abdulkareem Haruna

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that French forces will remain in Niger despite a recent coup d’état.

Macron said that the French forces were sent to Niger at the request of the democratically elected government of President Mahamadou Issoufou and that they will remain there to fight terrorism.

“We are there to fight terrorism at the request of Niger and its democratically elected authorities,” Macron said. “Our effective action has drastically reduced the number of terrorist attacks on Nigerien soil, at the cost of the lives of several French soldiers.”

Macron condemned the coup d’état and called for the release of President Issoufou and the restoration of constitutional order.

“We do not recognize the legitimacy of the putschists’ declarations,” Macron said. “President Issoufou has not surrendered his power.”

The French forces will only be redeployed at the request of President Issoufou and in coordination with him, Macron said.

“I will only do so at President Issoufou’s request and in coordination with him,” Macron said. “Not with officials who today are taking a presidential title they have no right to.”

Macron also announced that France will provide €10 million in humanitarian aid to Niger.

“This aid will help to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in Niger,” Macron said. “It will also help to support the country’s democratic transition.”