French President Emmanuel Macron has declined a proposal put forth by Niger’s military junta to withdraw French soldiers following a coup that strained relations between the two nations.

Tensions between Niger and its former colonial ruler escalated after the revolution on July 26, which led to the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum and the termination of military cooperation with France.

Macron has indicated his willingness to support the use of force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate democracy.

However, ECOWAS has recently shifted its stance, emphasizing diplomatic efforts as the primary means of resolving the Niger crisis.

Speaking as the G-20 summit concluded in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, Macron stated, “If we redeploy, I would do it only at the request of President Bazoum,” referring to Niger’s ousted leader.

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He added, “We don’t recognize any legitimacy in the declarations from the putschists.”

Macron’s comments come in response to the junta’s assertion that France has not complied with its request for the 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger to depart by September 3.

A spokesperson for the junta revealed that Nigerien and French military leaders had met earlier in the month to discuss a strategy for the withdrawal of French soldiers from Niger.

“Up to this point, there has been no progress in implementing the plan,” Abdramane stated on the national broadcaster Tele Sahel.

He further alleged, “France continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS countries as part of preparations for an attack on Niger in collaboration with the regional bloc.”