Niger quits International Group of French-Speaking Nations

Junta-led Niger, which has cut ties with its former colonial ruler France, announced on Monday, March 17, that it is withdrawing from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), a global body of French-speaking nations similar to the Commonwealth.

“The Nigerien government has independently decided to withdraw Niger from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie,” the country’s foreign ministry stated.

Niger had been suspended from the OIF after a military coup ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. The organization had called for a swift return to constitutional rule and demanded Bazoum’s release. However, the deposed president and his wife remain in detention under Niger’s military government.

Since taking power, Niger’s military rulers have distanced themselves from France and aligned with fellow juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as with Russia.

Before the coup, Niger adopted a new national anthem, “For the Honor of the Fatherland,” which reflects the country’s anti-colonial stance. It replaced “La Nigérienne,” whose lyrics were written by French composer Maurice Albert Thiriet in 1961, a year after Niger gained independence.

Credit: Le Monde