Download
Niger's military junta scraps defense agreements with France
Updated 00:18, 05-Aug-2023
Ross Cullen in Paris
Africa;Niger

Translating...

Content is automatically generated by Microsoft Azure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations.

Protesters hold an anti-France placard during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey on August 3, 2023. /AFP
Protesters hold an anti-France placard during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey on August 3, 2023. /AFP

Protesters hold an anti-France placard during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey on August 3, 2023. /AFP

The military junta in Niger, which deposed the West African country's president last week, has scrapped a number of security and defense agreements with France.

The ruling military said that, "Faced with France's nonchalant attitude and reaction to the situation... [we have] decided to denounce the cooperation agreements in the field of security and defense with this state."

READ MORE

Why is the EU considering banning cigarette filters?

Drought tolerant gardens help UK gardeners

Why heatwaves cause crime waves

France currently has around 1,500 troops in Niger but counter-terrorism operations have been suspended since the ousting of the elected Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. The move could lead to France withdrawing its forces from another West African country. 

Error loading player: No playable sources found
01:24

Paris has already pulled its forces out of Mali and Burkina Faso following military coups in both countries and moved the core of its operations in the southern Sahara to Niger. French troops are in the Sahel region to help disrupt and dismantle armed groups but the immediate future of the mission in Niger is now uncertain after the Nigerien army rulers revoked a raft of military cooperation agreements.

In recent days, since the army deposed the sitting president, there have been major demonstrations in the Nigerien capital, Niamey. France has been the target of a lot of the protesters' anger, with anti-France slogans being chanted and the country's embassy building attacked.

The government has also taken the French TV channel France 24 and the radio station RFI off air. The EU and the French government have denounced the decision, saying "the measures taken against the press are part of a context of authoritarian repression carried out by the authors of the attempted coup."

Niger's military junta scraps defense agreements with France

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday

MORE FROM CGTN

Net migration to the UK falls by half in 2024
{"type":2,"value":"Louise Greenwood","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

14:37, 22-May-2025

Israeli embassy staff shot dead, aid trucks finally allowed into Gaza
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

13:25, 22-May-2025

{"type":2,"value":"Pablo Gutierrez in Hatvan, Hungary","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

12:02, 22-May-2025

{"type":2,"value":"Ken Browne in Madrid","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

11:59, 22-May-2025

TOP NEWS

Xi, Macron commit to closer ties and safeguarding global order
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

China

11:38, 22-May-2025

Grand opening! China-CEEC expo's tech feast unveiled
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

China

06:29, 22-May-2025

Aid trucks enter Gaza after delays, as pressure mounts on Israel
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Middle East

03:04, 22-May-2025

Search Trends