The military Government of Niger has announced its decision to withdraw from the Organization internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), a global group of French-speaking nations, following its severance of ties with former colonial ruler France.
The move was confirmed on Monday by the Nigerien foreign ministry, which stated that the government had independently chosen to leave the organisation. Niger had previously been suspended from the OIF after a military coup ousted elected president Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. The OIF had called for a swift return to constitutional order and the release of Bazoum, who remains in custody under the new military leadership.
Since the coup, Niger’s military rulers have increasingly distanced themselves from Paris, aligning instead with fellow West African juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as seeking closer ties with Russia. This shift reflects Niger’s broader political pivot, marked by growing anti-colonial sentiment. Notably, just before the coup, Niger introduced a new national anthem, “For the Honour of the Fatherland,” which emphasizes the country’s anti-colonial struggle, replacing the former anthem, “La Nigerienne,” composed by a French musician in 1961.
The withdrawal from the Francophonie comes as Niger’s military leadership strengthens its stance against foreign influence, further isolating the country from its traditional diplomatic and cultural affiliations. The OIF, which represents 88 member states, had been a significant platform for Niger’s international engagement since its independence. The departure marks another step in Niger’s ongoing political and diplomatic transformation following the coup.