In a bold attempt to establish its autonomy and remove colonial influence, Niger has formally designated Hausa its national language, thus demoting French to a basic working language.
- Niger has designated Hausa as its national language, demoting French to a basic working language.
- Niger left the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in March.
- Niger has worked to free itself of remaining French influence and created a regional alliance with Burkina Faso and Mali.
The declaration is part of the recently passed Refoundation Charter, which was published in Niger’s Official Journal and extensively shared online by journalists and internet users, as reported by Sputnik.
The charter represents a significant shift in national identity and government, following months of political turbulence and rising anti-colonial feelings.
French, which was once the dominant language of administration and education in Niger due to the country’s colonial past, lost official status in mid-March when Niger, along with fellow Alliance of Sahel States (AES) member Mali, left the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
The OIF is a grouping of French-speaking countries, comparable to the British Commonwealth, that promotes cultural and linguistic relations among members.
On March 17, Niger formally resigned from the OIF, claiming ongoing foreign pressure and involvement, notably following the military coup that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
The OIF suspended Niger’s membership immediately after the coup, demanding a restoration to democratic governance and the release of Bazoum and his wife, who are still detained under the junta administration.
The Refoundation Charter not only establishes Hausa as the national language, but it also represents the current leadership’s larger efforts to redefine the country’s political and cultural direction.
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The proclamation that implements the charter also formally appoints General Abdourahamane Tiani as President of the Republic for a 60-month transition period, so strengthening the junta’s control.
This initiative aligns Niger with other Sahelian countries looking to eliminate leftover colonial systems and assert their independence in policy and identity.
With Hausa, a widely spoken language in West Africa, rising to national prominence, Niger is showing a desire to connect more closely with its indigenous origins and regional allies rather than previous colonial powers.
Niger and France
Given France’s unwillingness to recognize the legality of the Junta-led administration, Niger has worked quickly to free itself of any remaining French influence.
Instead, the government has created a regional alliance with two other West African states with similar political ideas.
Niger, in cooperation with Burkina Faso and Mali, chose to leave its old regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and create its organization, the Alliance of the Sahel States.
Late in January, Niger decided to rename streets which had what it described as colonial-era names. This was shortly after, Niger accused the European country of deploying the Trojan Horse technique to destabilize the country.
Niger in November last year, also noted that it plans to re-write the events of its colonial history, arguing that its history should be told from its lens, and reality.
In December 2023, France finalized the withdrawal of its troops from Niger, following an exit request from the country’s junta government. This occurred just before France closed its embassy in Niger indefinitely.
