Niger has announced the suspension of all cooperation with the international organization of Francophone nations (OIF), further signaling its progressive detachment from its former colonial ruler, France. The decision was confirmed by a spokesperson for Niger's junta in a televised statement on Sunday.
The junta, which seized power in a coup in July, expressed its view that the 88-member OIF “has always been used by France as an instrument to defend French interests.” This move follows the junta's expulsion of French troops, who were assisting in the fight against a decade-old Islamist insurgency in the West African nation.
While the OIF had already suspended most cooperation with Niger last week in response to the coup, it had expressed an intention to maintain programs benefiting civilian populations and contributing to the restoration of democracy.
The OIF, with a mission to promote the French language, support peace, and democracy, and encourage education and development in Francophone countries, has faced criticism from the junta, which urged Africans to “decolonize their minds” and promote their national languages in line with Pan-Africanist principles.
In a separate statement, the junta declared that the duration of its hold on power had not been decided, and the length of the transition would be determined through an inclusive national dialogue. However, the statement did not specify when this dialogue would take place.
