Developments in Niger, one of Africa’s most impoverished nations, have made global headlines, and for a good reason. The Military Council with General Abdourahamane Tiani assuming power as head of state initiated a coup that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum’s government. The coup is West and Central Africa’s seventh military takeover in less than three years and has been met with strong denunciation from the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Both sides have stressed Niamey’s swift return to democracy as a prerequisite for national stability, however, calls for restraint do not give any former colonial power the license to intervene militarily. While it is important that the crisis in Niger is resolved indigenously, any military intervention from France should be denounced in the strongest of terms. 

The reasons are obvious. Africa’s history is awash with horrific episodes of colonialism and European powers exploiting the continent’s resources while engaging in the slave trade. To date, this crass exploitation left an indelible mark on Africa’s socioeconomic prosperity. Niger is no different, with the country being subject to European powers outlining a vision at the 1885 Berlin Conference to divide the continent into spheres of influence, a process known as the ‘Scramble for Africa.’ France gained upper control of the Niger River, and Niamey became a full-fledged colony of French West Africa in 1922. Under colonial rule, the people of Niger capitulated in front of French supremacy as a prerequisite for survival. 

The country subsequently encountered famines, which prompted the colonial government to introduce food security measures in 1913, 1920, and 1931. A puppet sultan was also installed, which led to marginalization and a notable decline in the North of the colony. French gross exploitation was also characterized by exporting Niger’s own indigenous agricultural products in outlying areas to local and international markets to benefit the French Crown. These harrowing realities are precisely why Niger continues to lag behind most of its contemporaries on the continent, let alone the world. 

Fast forward to 2023, then instability in Niamey is being followed up with renewed calls from Paris to militarily intervene and sow chaos. Calls to push back against the coup were the loudest from France with the Military Council stating clearly that the former colonial power is plotting to intervene to restore President Mohamed Bazoum’s rule. Bazoum’s ousted government and its former Foreign Minister, Hassoumi Massoudou, also signed an authorization document, allowing the French to attack the presidential palace. Last week, the junta stated that the ousted government was authorizing France to conduct a military operation to restore the Bazoum government. This is despite the fact that neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso issued a joint statement that any military intervention into Niger to restore Bazoum will constitute an act of war. 

Even if the veracity of the Junta’s claims is considered questionable, pro-Russia and anti-France slogans from the public after the coup demonstrates that the social contract that France is seeking to erode is clearly in favor of the coup. According to a businessman based in the central city of Zinder, France is not wanted in Niger given that it exploited the country’s uranium deposits, petrol, and gold reserves. Many in the public also hold France accountable for the Nigerien public not being able to afford basic necessities. This sentiment has been echoed previously by populist, right-wing Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni who accused France of ensuring that Niger languishes in poverty. 

Niger hosts a French military base and is home to one of the largest uranium deposits in the world. It is also the world’s seventh largest producer of uranium with a quarter of exports going to Europe and France being a major recipient. Yet despite this, its economy has teetered. Agriculture amounts to 40% of its GDP and more than 10 million people or an astonishing 41.8% of its population live below the poverty line in 2021. Furthermore, out of 24.4 million people, two in every five live in extreme poverty or less than $2.15 a day. 

It is clear that Niger has not witnessed the trickle-down effect of uranium exports to France and Paris with its penchant for intervening in Niger’s affairs will seek to continue its vicious cycle of exploitation. Based on France’s statements and evidence provided by the Military Council, Macron has no intention to initiate dialogue to settle the dispute or come up with a sustainable peace framework to mitigate tensions. Similar to the American approach in Libya, France has opted to lend unconditional support to one side of the crisis while mounting pressure on the military government. This approach in a continent that has a history of colonialism has only led to a proliferation of terrorism, a breakdown in social systems, widespread poverty, and devastation. 

Unsurprisingly, Niger halted gold and uranium exports to France while the national anthem as a symbol of colonialism was also discarded prior to the coup. The sentiment of the Nigerien people runs deep and praise for countries that adopt an anti-interventionist stance, such as Russia, is not without basis. As countries such as France mull over using military force, President Vladimir Putin pledged to provide $90 million to African countries grappling with sovereign debt. Russia’s role in Africa has also been praised by the AU chief, Azali Assoumani, who considered Moscow’s unwavering support to the continent in the G20 and the United Nations Security Council as commendable. 

Hence, France's neocolonialism and penchant for military intervention will only jeopardize Niger’s future and offer nothing constructive to one of the most impoverished countries in the world.