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France 24
France 24
World
David RICH

Niger coup brings France's complicated relationship with its former colonies into the spotlight

France Niger West Africa Burkina Faso FRANCE 24 Mali Mohamed Bazoum Africa Guinea ECOWAS
Protesters gather in front of the French Embassy in Niger's capital, Niamey, after attending a rally in support of Niger's junta on July 30, 2023. © AFP

The coup in Niger is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa that have toppled governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The ensuing political upheaval has caused tensions throughout the region and beyond – most notably with former colonial power France. FRANCE 24 speaks to regional expert Gilles Yabi, founder and CEO of West African think tank WATHI, to put the fallout in context.

One week since a military coup ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, the situation remains uncertain. Rising tensions between protesters supporting the junta and those supporting the deposed president caused France to begin evacuating its citizens on August 1. 

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