To further enforce its new policy of anti-colonial influence, the predominantly French-speaking West African country of Niger has exited the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIC).
- Niger has exited the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIC).
- The country formed a regional alliance with Burkina Faso and Mali to create the Alliance of the Sahel States (AES).
- Niger accused France of destabilizing the country and renamed colonial-era streets.
The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIC), is a coalition of French-speaking nations, that mirrors the idea of the British Commonwealth.
On Monday, Niger decided to leave the group, as reported by Lemonde.
“The Nigerien government has independently decided to withdraw Niger from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie,” the foreign ministry said.
This decision is following the almost two-year-long suspension of the West African country, from the OIC, shortly after it deposed its former administration in a military coup.
DON’T MISS THIS: Some Ghanaians say they want to ‘join the AES’ – Russian media reveals
The OIC mandated that the country return to democratic rule following the coup that ousted former president Mohamed Bazoum, and called for his release as the Junta government continues to hold the ousted president and his wife.
This of course has not been the case, as Niger continues to insist on its current administrative path.
Source: LeMonde
Niger and France
Given France’s refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Junta-led government, Niger in response has swiftly moved to rid itself of all lingering French influence.
The country has instead formed a regional alliance with two other West African states that share its political views.
In collaboration with Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger opted to exit its former regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to form its own group, the Alliance of the Sahel States (AES).
One of the reasons for this move is ECOWAS’ supposed subservience to Western powers, and in this case, France.
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.
The Nigerien Minister of the Interior, Public Security, and Territorial Administration, General Mohamed Toumba, noted that France is partnering with Niger’s neighbors to disrupt the country’s peace.
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 own 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.
