NIGER

Talks between the U.S. government and the West African country's ruling military junta, which has geopolitically aligned itself with Russia, resulted into an agreement after discussions about the U.S. leaving the country lasted for weeks.

The United States is still talking with Niger about the withdrawal of 1,000 American military personnel, and decisions will be announced in the coming weeks, the US Africom commander said on Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron toured Central Asia this week, as his country seeks to secure future sources of fueling France's massive nuclear program.

France's ambassador to Niger landed in Paris on Wednesday, after weeks of tensions with the post-coup regime in the West African country who demanded his expulsion.