Global South World - military bases https://www.globalsouthworld.com en-US Niamey residents recount fear after overnight gunfire https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/niamey-residents-recount-fear-after-overnight-gunfire https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/niamey-residents-recount-fear-after-overnight-gunfire?feed=military%20bases Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:03:00 Z Amadou Soumera, who lives near the airport, said the shooting began around midnight, forcing his family to seek cover. "Together with the children and the rest of the family, we had to run into our rooms, and at that moment we did not understand exactly what was happening," he said.

Another resident, Chamsiya Idrissa, said explosions continued through the night and were powerful enough to shake homes. Others said they were still waiting for official clarification about what had happened.

Defence Minister General Salifou Mody said a group of soldiers attempted to detain fellow officers at Diori Hamani International Airport, home to the key military airbase known as Base 101, before opening fire on "strategic locations" across the city.

The incident briefly disrupted radio and television transmissions, which the Nigerien Press Agency said resumed at around 10:00 local time. Mody said security forces had contained the unrest and gradually regained control of the affected sites, although sporadic gunfire continued.

The incident poses a challenge to Niger's military-led government under General Abdourahamane Tiani, who took power after President Mohamed Bazoum was removed in July 2023.

]]> Global South World Niamey residents in fear A look at former French colonies on the African continent https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/a-look-at-former-french-colonies-on-the-african-continent https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/a-look-at-former-french-colonies-on-the-african-continent?feed=military%20bases Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:38:16 Z France, like its other European counterparts, was a major explorer of the African continent. France's former African colonies, including Senegal , Ivory Coast, and Algeria, primarily gained independence in the 1960s.

Despite achieving independence, these nations continue to maintain strong economic, cultural, and political ties with France, a relationship often referred to as "Franç Afrique." 

This enduring legacy of French influence significantly shapes modern relations, with France retaining military bases, making substantial investments in African economies, and promoting the French language and culture. 

The relationship between France and its former colonies continues to impact the region's development and France's global strategy although in recent times its influence has significantly waned. The French former colonies include:

Algeria:  French rule began in 1830 following the French invasion of Algeria and lasted until the end of the Algerian War , with Algeria gaining independence in 1962.

Tunisia:  Established as a French protectorate in 1881, Tunisia remained under French control until it gained independence in 1956.

Benin:  The French takeover of the Kingdom of Dahomey began in 1872. It became the Republic of Dahomey within the French Community in 1958, and gained full independence on August 1, 1960, later renaming itself Benin in 1975.

Seychelles:  A collection of islands that came under French control in 1756. Settlers arrived in 1770, but France surrendered the islands to the British in 1794.

Other former French colonies are; the  Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Cameroon (formerly under German control), Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Chad, Guinea, Burundi, Togo, Central African Republic, Gabon, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Comoros Islands.

Though direct rule ended in the early 1960s, French influence over its former colonies continued. France has attempted to maintain a foothold in Francophone Africa through political, security, economic, and cultural connections.

]]> Global South World Abigail Johnson Boakye The World in Maps France's former African colonies