Niger withdraws from international group of French-speaking nations

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) – Niger’s military government announced Monday that it is withdrawing from a global group of French speaking nations called the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

"The government of Niger has sovereignly decided to withdraw from the International Organization of the Francophonie," Laouali Labo, the secretary general of Niger's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement.

Niger, a former French colony under the rule of a military junta since a coup that toppled elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, has suspended all diplomatic and military ties with France, accusing its former colonial ruler of supporting instability in the country. The junta also renamed streets and monuments with French names in Niamey, Niger's capital, in October.

The country is withdrawing from the OIF at a time when the 88-nation organization, founded on March 1970 in Niger, is celebrating French Language and Francophonie Week.

Niger was suspended from the organization following the coup.

The Permanent Council of the Francophonie (CPF), meeting in an extraordinary session in December 2023, declared the suspension of Niger, with the immediate effect of suspending the participation of its de facto representatives in meetings of Francophonie bodies, as well as the suspension of multilateral Francophone cooperation with this member state, with the exception of programs directly benefiting civilian populations and those contributing to the restoration of democracy.

The CPF had demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the deposed president, who is still being held captive, and of his family and government members.

It also demanded the rapid restoration of constitutional order.

The ruling junta did not explain the reasons for its withdrawal from the OIF.