On August 4, 2023, France rejected the Nigerien junta’s attempt to cancel bilateral military agreements, asserting that only the “legitimate Nigerien authorities”—namely ousted President Mohamed Bazoum—have the authority to alter such pacts. The French foreign ministry’s statement followed the junta’s announcement on August 3 to revoke five military deals with France, spanning 1977 to 2020, which supported 1,000–1,500 French troops combating jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel. The move reflects escalating tensions since the July 26 coup, with France maintaining it recognizes only Bazoum’s government as legitimate.
ECOWAS Delegation’s Failed Mission
A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar, arrived in Niamey on August 3 but left without meeting junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani or Bazoum. ECOWAS, chaired by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, imposed sanctions on July 30, including Nigeria cutting 70% of Niger’s electricity, and issued a one-week ultimatum (expiring August 6) to restore Bazoum or face potential military intervention. Tinubu emphasized diplomacy but noted that “military force is a last resort,” as regional defense chiefs convened in Abuja to discuss options.
Media Blackout Sparks Outrage
The junta’s suspension of France 24 and Radio France Internationale broadcasts drew sharp condemnation from the European Union, which called it a “serious violation of the right to information and freedom of expression.” EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali criticized the move on X, while France Médias Monde deplored the decision as outside “any conventional and legal framework.” This censorship mirrors actions in Mali and Burkina Faso, where French media were also banned post-coup, highlighting a regional trend of targeting French influence amid growing anti-colonial sentiment.
Junta’s Defiance and Regional Dynamics
General Tchiani lifted a curfew imposed since the coup, signaling confidence despite international pressure. The junta, backed by Mali and Burkina Faso’s regimes, has rejected ECOWAS sanctions and warnings, with Tchiani vowing not to yield. Protests in Niamey, marked by Russian flags and anti-French chants, underscore public support for the junta and a pivot toward alternative allies like Russia. Mali and Burkina Faso’s warning that intervention in Niger would be a “declaration of war” complicates ECOWAS’s strategy, raising fears of regional escalation.
A Precarious Path Forward
Niger’s coup, the seventh in West and Central Africa since 2020, threatens its role as a Western ally in the Sahel. France’s rejection of the junta’s actions and ECOWAS’s stalled negotiations highlight the challenges of restoring Bazoum’s government. With sanctions biting and military talks ongoing, the August 6 deadline looms large. The junta’s media crackdown and alignment with Mali and Burkina Faso suggest a deepening divide, potentially reshaping the Sahel’s geopolitical and security landscape.
