Niger’s junta announced the cancellation of a series of military cooperation agreements with France on Thursday. The decision could potentially have far-reaching consequences for the ongoing fight against insurgents in the region, particularly following the recent removal of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Similar to recent coups in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, last week’s military takeover in Niger occurred against a backdrop of increasing anti-French sentiment. Some locals have accused France, their former colonial ruler, of undue interference in their internal matters.
Presently, France maintains a military presence of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 troops in Niger. These forces play a crucial role in the fight against insurgency groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, which have been responsible for destabilizing the Sahel region in West Africa.
The junta’s spokesperson, Amadou Abdramane, announced the decision to revoke five military agreements with France spanning the years 1977 to 2020. The announcement was made on national television late on Thursday, signifying a significant shift in the dynamics of the two nations’ military collaboration.
