The climate of tension between the Nigerien military regime and France continues to intensify. The regime, resulting from a coup d’état that occurred last July, recently accused France of preparing an aggression against Niger. According to members of the regime, France has deployed its forces in several ECOWAS countries, such as Ivory Coast, Benin and Senegal, with the aim of preparing a military intervention against the country.
This accusation follows ECOWAS’ threat to intervene militarily in Niger in order to restore constitutional order and free the overthrown president. France, which has around 1,500 troops in the country to fight terrorism, supported the decision. However, the generals in power in Niger have expressed their wish to see French soldiers leave the country, denouncing several military cooperation agreements with the former colonial power.
The Nigerien regime claims that French forces are present illegally on its territory, denouncing in particular the deployment of aircraft, helicopters and armored vehicles in neighboring countries. In addition, they claim that rotations of military cargo planes made it possible to land significant war material. According to them, all these maneuvers are a sign of active preparation for military intervention against Niger.
The regime also claims that it was informed of a plan to disengage French forces, the announcement of which came from an operational level and was not carried by the general staff of the French armies nor by the government. This announcement leaves uncertainty surrounding the future presence of French forces in the country.
At the same time, the presence of French forces in Niger is the subject of protests from the population. Demonstrations took place in Niamey, the capital, to demand the departure of French soldiers. This situation creates a real diplomatic standoff between France and Niger.
It is important to closely monitor the development of this situation. Tensions between the Nigerien military regime and France risk having significant repercussions both on the stability of the region and on the fight against terrorism in the Sahel.