Source : Sahel weather October 2024 

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Bilateral relations between Niger and France have entered a cycle of gradual deterioration since the military coup of July 26. After the departure of French forces and the expulsion of the French ambassador from Niger territory, the transitional government moved on to the debaptization of emblematic places in Niamey bearing French names. For Colonel-major Abdourahmane Amadou, Minister of Youth and spokesman for the current regime, these names linked to France plunge the people back into painful memories of the suffering and bullying of colonization. As a result, Avenue Charles de Gaulle now bears the name of Djibo Bakary, a political figure who made a major contribution to Niger's independence, and a plaque bearing the effigy of Thomas Sankara replaces the portrait of Parfait-Louis Monteil, a French explorer and commander. The demarcation with the French heritage is also perceptible in the change of the national anthem, the song “Lan Nigérienne” composed by the Frenchman Maurice Albert Thiriet giving way to “Pour l'honneur de la patrie”.

On the security front, however, the Transitional Government is still encountering difficulties on the ground, where attacks against the population and the defense and security forces are constantly making the news. Located 245 km from Arlit, the border town of Assamaka and surrounding areas were targeted by terrorist groups JNIM and FAL (Forces Armées Libres) on October 19. Six soldiers and one civilian were killed. In addition, the FAL is said to be led by former Minister of State Risa Ag Bola, who is currently in asylum in France. For some, this corroborates suspicions that France is supporting armed groups with the aim of halting the rise of the Alliance of Sahel States, further damaging relations between Niger and France.

In addition, on October 10, General Tiani signed a controversial decree temporarily disqualifying nine leading figures on charges of plotting against the State and the transition. The latter, no less close to the former President of the Republic, deprived of their nationality and in exile since the coup d'état, are known to have questioned the legitimacy of the Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie (CNSP). This decision is based on the national file adopted in September to list possible individuals linked to acts of terrorism and undermining the interests of the State. According to the NGO Human Rights, these nine “fugitives” from justice are victims of an “irregular procedure”, and see this decree as an infringement of their fundamental rights.