Niger military leader announces impending war with France

A prominent member of Niger’s ruling military authorities, General Amadou Ibro, has urged the public to brace for what he characterised as an impending conflict with France, alleging that Paris is attempting to undermine the country in the aftermath of the July 2023 coup.

Addressing supporters at a rally in the capital, Niamey, Ibro declared, “We were not at war before, but now we are going to war with France,” a statement that was met with applause and anti-French slogans from those in attendance.

Ties between Niger and France have significantly worsened since the withdrawal of French forces in late 2023. Since then, the military leadership has advanced a sovereignty-driven policy agenda, which has included nationalising uranium assets associated with the French company Orano and pursuing efforts to sell Niger’s uranium independently on international markets.

Meanwhile, a consignment of roughly 1,000 tonnes of uranium concentrate that departed northern Niger in late November has remained for several weeks at Niamey airport under the control of Nigerien authorities.

By Tamilla Hasanova