France has yielded to mounting pressure and withdrawn its ambassador from Niger, leaving the nation in the hands of the military junta. The French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, departed Niger early on Wednesday, a month after the military government ordered his expulsion and following President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of the diplomat’s recall along with the withdrawal of French troops.
Tensions between Niger and France, its former colonial ruler, have intensified since the military coup in Niamey in July. The junta demanded Ambassador Itte’s departure within 48 hours at the end of August, citing actions by France deemed “contrary to the interests of Niger.” Initially, France resisted, asserting the military government’s illegitimacy and advocating for the reinstatement of the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
However, Macron’s recent declaration signaled a shift in France’s stance. Ambassador Itte reportedly left Niger, a move confirmed by the president’s office in Paris. Protests against France have been a daily occurrence in Niamey since the coup, with junta supporters calling for the removal of French troops.
France’s relationship with its former West African colonies has been strained, particularly in countries where military leaders have seized power. Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger are now under military rule following a series of coups in recent years, and anti-French sentiment has grown both among the public and authorities.
Critics argue that France has maintained significant economic and political influence in its former colonies through a system known as ‘Francafrique.’ France contends that it operates with the consent and cooperation of local governments.
While some accuse France of undue interference, others believe military juntas are using France as a scapegoat for complex issues. In Mali and Burkina Faso, French forces aiding in the fight against Islamist insurgency have been expelled, raising concerns about the potential for increased violence and greater Russian influence in the region following the withdrawal of French troops from Niger.
The future will determine the consequences of Niger’s decision, which some view as potentially unwise.
