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France–Niger relations

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Franco-Nigerien relations
Map indicating locations of Niger and France

Niger
France

France–Niger relations are the foreign relations between France and Niger. Their relations are based on a long shared history and the more than sixty year rule of Niger by the French colonial empire, beginning with the French conquest in 1898. Niger obtained independence from France in 1960, and a history of French influenced culture and French language have been a point of commonality in the creation of a distinctive Nigerien culture from the diverse pre-colonial nationalities which make up modern Niger. France benefited economically from their time as a colonial power, and still relies on imports from Niger for elements of their economy.

Colonialism and decolonisation

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Main article: French West Africa

Niger has maintained close ties with France, its former colonial power throughout the history of the Nigerien Republic. Following Niger's independence in 1960, France maintained several hundred advisers at all levels of Niger's government and military. In the 1960s, the Military of Niger was drawn entirely from Nigerien former members of the French Colonial Forces: officered by Frenchmen who agreed to take joint French-Nigerien citizenship. In 1960 there were only ten African officers in the Nigerien army, all of low rank. President Diori signed legislation to end employment of expatriate military officers in 1965, though some continued to serve until the 1974 coup when all French military presence was evacuated.[1] As well, the French had maintained until 1974 around 1000 troops of the 4th Régiment Interarmes d'Outre-Mer [2] (Troupes de Marine) with bases at Niamey, Zinder, Bilma and Agadez. In 1979 a smaller French force was again based permanently in Niger.[3]

Current economic ties

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France-Nigerien relations continue to be close, with France as Niger's top export partner by value and the French government being almost entirely dependent upon Niger for uranium to fuels its extensive nuclear power system. The French government developed large uranium mining sites in the town of Arlit, with France being a major contributor to Niger's net exports as large amounts of uranium are transported from Niger to France. (One source estimates that France receives 25% of their Uranium from Niger?).[4] More recently, Niger criticized France for the agreement, arguing that Niger should retain a larger share of profits from uranium ore mining.[5]

Diplomatic relations

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While conflicts have developed and subsided between the two independent republics, France maintains a strong diplomatic presence in Niamey and several thousand French expatriates live across the nation.[6] Niger in turn maintains one of its only 24 foreign embassies in Paris along with three Honorary consular offices (in Bordeaux, Lyon, and Marseille) serving a large expatriate and naturalised Niger born population which lives in France.[7]

Mariama Hima, a former Nigerien minister of Social Development, served as an ambassador of Niger in Paris between 1997 and 2003.[8]

In the wake of the 2023 coup d'état and the following crisis, thousands of Nigeriens stormed the French embassy.[9] Its walls and gates were set ablaze and damaged after topping them with Russian flags.[10] The demonstrators also called for an immediate intervention by the Wagner Group.[11][12] On 25 August the junta ordered French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.[13][14][15]

More recently, France–Niger ties are showing some signs of deterioration. In August 2023, Niger denounced “cooperation agreements in the field of security and defense” with France by a decree announcing the end of the various military and defense agreements with France.[16] Shortly afterwards, French president Emmanuel Macron announced it plans to end its military presence in Niger, with Macron stating "we are not there to deal with internal politics and be hostages of putschists." France does not recognize de facto leadership of Niger, maintaining that Mohamed Bazoum is the legitimate leader.

In December 2023, it was announced that France intends to close its embassy in Niamey because it is unable to carry out diplomatic tasks due to restrictions imposed by the ruling junta.[17]

Cultural ties

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Main article: Culture of Niger

Nigerien national culture, made up as it is of a diverse group of pre-colonial national cultures, has been greatly influenced by French culture. The French language continues to be the official language of the Republic of Niger. Cultural centers, such as the Centre Culturel Franco-Nigérien Jean Rouch [de] in Niamey and the Center Culturel Franco-Nigérien de Zinder [de] in Zinder provide major institutions for the growth and promotion of French culture in Niger, as well as promoting Nigerien culture to a French audience.[18] Niger is a founding member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Resident diplomatic missions

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  • France has an embassy in Niamey.
  • Niger has an embassy in Paris.
  • Embassy of Niger in Paris
    Embassy of Niger in Paris

Notes and references

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  1. ^ for the section History of the FAN prior to 1974, see Samuel Decalo. Historical Dictionary of Niger (2nd ed.). Scarecrow Press, London and New Jersey (1979). ISBN 0-8108-1229-0 pp.33–35.
  2. ^ 4e Régiment Interarmes d'Outre-Mer Archived 2016-03-17 at the Wayback Machine: the 4th RIAOM was dissolved after leaving Niger.
  3. ^ Samuel Decalo. Coups and Army Rule in Africa, Yale University Press (1990). ISBN 0-300-04045-8
  4. ^ Decalo (1997).
  5. ^ "Ahmadinejad to visit uranium-rich Niger". Al Jazeera. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ Embassy of France in Niger, official site. Retrieved 2009-02-11
  7. ^ French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassades et consulats étrangers en France: NIGER Archived 2009-11-06 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ Moutari, Souley (13 May 2014). "Portraits des femmes pionnières du Niger" (in French). Nigerdiaspora. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  9. ^ Balima, Boureima; Onuah, Felix (31 July 2023). "West Africa threatens force on Niger coup leaders, French embassy attacked". Reuters. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  10. ^ Mednick, Sam (30 July 2023). "French embassy in Niger is attacked as protesters waving Russian flags march through capital". AP News. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Miles de nigerinos salen a las calles de Niamey para defender a los golpistas entre gritos a favor de Rusia" [Thousands of Nigeriens take to the streets of Niamey to defend the coup plotters amid chants for Russia]. LA NACION (in Spanish). 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Miles de personas participan en Niamey en una marcha en apoyo al golpe de Estado" [Thousands of people participate in a march in Niamey in support of the coup]. infobae (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Niger junta expels French ambassador". Reuters. 2023-08-25. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  14. ^ "Paris says Niger's junta 'have no authority' to ask their ambassador to leave". France 24. 2023-08-25. Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  15. ^ "Niger's military administration gives German, US, Nigerian envoys 48 hours to leave country". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  16. ^ "NIGER Coup d'Etat au Niger : la junte « dénonce » des accords militaires avec la France". LeMonde Afrique. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  17. ^ France plans to close embassy in Niger following coup, letter shows
  18. ^ La France au Niger: Centres culturels franco nigériens Archived 2008-05-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2009-02-11
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