In Niger, the first set of French soldiers has started to withdraw from the country, after orders by Niger’s military junta following their July takeover. In the capital Niamey, residents welcomed the French soldiers’ departure.

Sidi Ali: “Today, this batch of French soldiers who have arrived and who will, God willing, shortly be taking to the road to return home, is only the culmination of a struggle that the people have engaged in. The people are on their feet to demand the departure of the French soldiers from Niger soil, because one thing is certain: Niger remains for the people of Niger.”

This comes as the U.S. formally designated the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum and military takeover as a coup, suspending aid to Niger. But U.S. officials say they do not plan to remove any of its 1,000 military personnel from Niger.