Niger stands as a strategic focal point for France. With uranium reserves vital to the nuclear sector and a long history of bilateral ties, Paris is wary of repeating missteps seen in other Sahel nations. The goal is to avoid a destabilized Niger that could invite a hostile administration while maintaining influence in the region. Recent days have seen heightened tensions between Paris and Niamey as both sides adjust to a shifting security and political landscape.
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated a firm stance in a Paris address, stating that France would keep its ambassador in Niamey despite a demand from the new authorities for expulsion. The 48 hours following the initial ultimatum has passed, and Macron, speaking at the annual ambassadors conference in Paris, rejected the narrative used by coup leaders that framed France as the enemy. He underscored France’s position during a measured review of events that many in Niger associate with past Afghan-style interventions and the ongoing struggle over legitimacy for the deposed administration under Mohamed Bazoum.
Support for diplomatic and military operations
In the wake of military governments taking root in Mali and Burkina Faso, which have strained ties with Paris, France seeks to avoid a similar outcome in Niger. France maintains approximately 1,500 troops stationed in Niger, a presence that marks the country with the largest French military footprint in Africa. The Niamey government has signaled openness to reconfiguring or reducing cooperation in the frame of anti-jihadist operations, a stance that emerged at the start of August. Since then, demonstrations against France and its troops have continued, the most recent taking place over the weekend.
Before this perceived wave of coups, Macron defended France’s resolute position and supported the idea of a regional security approach led by ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States. He urged regional states to back diplomatic and military actions coordinated through ECOWAS while respecting regional dynamics. The region remains split on how to respond, with Nigeria, Senegal, and Ivory Coast leaning toward negotiated solutions, while other governments and the African Union favor diplomacy. If Niger’s leadership aligns with Mali and Burkina Faso, the risk of a broader regional confrontation increases.
Risk of weakening the West
Macron also pushed back against Western reservations about France’s influence in this sensitive matter. He argued that Paris remains committed to democracy in Africa and that criticism does not justify abandonment or overreach. The discussion traces back to France’s broader anti-jihadist efforts and the lingering legacy of the Barkhane operation, amid a shifting balance of power across the continent. Critics point to a complex backdrop that includes past colonial ties and the emergence of new global powers such as China, Russia, Israel, and Turkey that could reshape Africa’s security landscape.
During a regional and global dialogue spurred by last week’s BRICS summit in Johannesburg, where Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates joined the alliance, Western powers faced calls for reform of global governance institutions like the IMF and the World Bank. Macron warned that the West risks diminished influence if it does not adapt to these changes, especially as competition with the United States grows. The message emphasized the need for a coherent strategy that balances support for democratic governance with practical security and development outcomes in Africa, ensuring that reforms do not undermine stability or regional partnerships. This stance reflects a broader effort to recalibrate alliances in a rapidly evolving international order while keeping a focus on Niger as a linchpin in regional security and energy interests, including uranium supplies critical to European energy and defense sectors.