‘We are going to war,’ Niger’s military leaders declare as they accuse France of destabilisation
Niger’s military leaders have declared a general mobilisation and warned of what they described as an impending “war with France,” its former colonial master and onetime ally.
Speaking at a rally, General Amadou Abdramane, chief of staff to Niger’s leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani, said the country was preparing for confrontation.
“Understand this, we are going to war with France. We were not at war before, but now we are going to war,” he is quoted by French news, Le Figaro.
The declaration follows a decree on general mobilisation adopted by Niger’s Council of Ministers at the end of December. Military officials have said the move is aimed at confronting what they allege are French efforts to destabilise the country.
General Tchiani has repeatedly accused France, along with leaders in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, of supporting Islamist armed groups and backing attacks against Niger’s government. He claimed the countries were behind a January 2026 attack on Niamey Airport.
Meanwhile, France has strongly denied the allegations. Colonel Guillaume Vernet, spokesperson for the French Armed Forces General Staff, said there was “no question of French involvement” in Niger and described the accusations as “information warfare.”
Relations between Niger and France have deteriorated sharply since a military coup in July 2023 ousted the elected government. The junta demanded the withdrawal of French troops and the French ambassador, accusing Paris of neocolonial interference. Military cooperation was suspended, marking a dramatic shift from years of close security ties.
Niger, which gained independence from France in 1960, has since pivoted away from Paris as anti-French sentiment grows across parts of the Sahel region.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
