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Niger

Niger
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Niger. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Niamey
Head of State
General Abdourahamane (Omar) Tchiani
Head of Government
Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou
last updated:
29 November, 2024
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (centre) attends the ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa partnership forum at Sirius University in Sochi on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Africa

Putin promises Africa ‘total support’ in anti-West pitch

Facing isolation from the west over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia sought to woo African countries at a Black Sea resort this weekend.

China-Africa relations

China key to solving Niger-Benin tensions – so oil pipeline can start pumping

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China-Africa relations

Niger was betting on China-backed oil pipeline as lifeline. Then trouble began

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Africa

Nigeria cracks down on illegal mining as global demand for lithium grows

Nigeria has made dozens of arrests of unlicensed miners since April for allegedly stealing the country’s lithium, a critical mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and power systems.

An Illegal tin mining site in Jos, Nigeria. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

After talks with China, Benin eases oil export ban against Niger

Meetings with Chinese delegation lead to relief in trade row between African neighbours, signalling Beijing’s growing role as a mediator on the continent, analysts say.

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Africa

Russian troops enter Niger airbase housing US military

The arrival of Russian personnel in the West African country came in the wake of a decision by Niger’s junta to expel US forces from the country.

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China-Africa relations

Chinese state firm agrees US$400 million loan for Niger junta in return for oil

Use of resources to repay loans is a popular model for China, but critics warn these deals are unfair and ‘mortgage the future of countries’.

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China has invested heavily in Niger’s oil infrastructure, including the building of pipelines. Photo: AFP
China-Africa relations

Niger courts China and Russia just days after severing US military ties

Beijing positions itself to grow its oil and mining interests after a major diplomatic shift in the African nation.

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Africa

Niger breaks off military cooperation with US, as junta moves closer to Russia

The United States currently stations some 1,000 troops in Niger at a desert drone base built at a cost of US$100 million.

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Africa

West Africa leaders recognise Niger’s junta, but sanctions to stay

West African leaders kept sanctions imposed on Niger after a July military coup and demanded progress towards a short transition to civilian rule before easing the measures.

Niger in July became the latest Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member to undergo a coup. File photo: TNS
Africa

Libya dismantles illegal gold mining network comprising Chinese nationals

The foreign nationals who carried out the mining were staying illegally in Libya, Tripoli’s attorney general said. He did not say when they were arrested.

The Libyan flag. On Monday, authorities in Tripoli said they had dismantled an illegal gold mining network. Photo: AP
Africa

Niger junta says it thwarted escape attempt by ousted president

Niger’s military rulers said the escape plan involved Mohamed Bazoum, his family, two cooks and his security personnel flying out on helicopters ‘belonging to a foreign power’.

Africa

France will end its military presence in Niger following coup

French President Emmanuel Macron’s move was welcomed by Niger’s military leaders as a ‘step towards sovereignty’.

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Africa

Macron says France’s ambassador to Niger ‘literally held hostage’

The French president says the envoy is living off ‘military rations’ as the junta blocks food deliveries to the embassy.

An armed man patrols outside the French embassy in Niamey, Niger on September 1. Photo: EPA-EFE
Africa

French elected official arrested in military-run Niger

Military officials in Niger have ordered French officials to leave the country, an order France has refused to heed as it does not recognise the junta’s authority.

Supporters of Niger’s National Council of Safeguard of the Homeland display a French national flag with an X-mark on during a protest in Niamey on September 1 to demand the departure of the French army from Niger. Photo: AFP
Africa

African Union suspends participation of Niger following coup

The AU urges member states and the international community to refrain from action that could legitimise Niger’s junta, and rejects outside interference.

Africa

Niger junta pledges return to democracy, as Ecowas vows to reverse coup

General Abourahamane Tiani, the leader of last month’s coup, said he had given the government 30 days to define a framework for a return to democracy after a transition that “cannot exceed three years.”

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Africa

‘Ready to go’: 11 West African nations agree to commit troops after Niger coup

West African military chiefs said they were ready for an armed intervention in Niger after a coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum last month, but a diplomatic mission was possible over the weekend to keep talks open.

West Africa’s regional bloc has threatened the use of force in reinstating the president of Niger after he was deposed by his military. Photo: AP
Africa

‘Very notion of freedom’ at stake: UN rights chief slams Niger coup

‘Generals cannot take it upon themselves to defy – at a whim – the will of the people. Rule-by-gun has no place in today’s world’, Volker Turk said.

Africa

17 dead in Niger as first major jihadi attack since coup fuels Western fears

The ambush is a sign of possible escalation, as militant factions move into the security void caused by the overthrow of the country’s democratic government.

Africa

Niger coup leaders ‘will prosecute deposed president Bazoum for high treason’

If convicted, Mohamed Bazoum – who is accused of undermining state security – could face the death penalty, according to Niger’s penal code.

Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum at the UN headquarters in New York in September. Photo: Reuters
Africa

West Africa bloc activates ‘standby force’ for possible Niger intervention

ECOWAS troops would potentially intervene to restore democracy in Niger, where the president was deposed in a July 26 coup.

ECOWAS Senegalese troops in Gambia in 2017. The West African bloc has threatened to use force to reinstate the president of Niger. File photo: AP
Africa

Ecowas must ‘exhaust all avenues’ before violence in Niger coup crisis

West African leaders said they firmly supported diplomacy in the search to end the crisis in Niger, stepping back from a threat to intervene militarily in the coup-stricken country.

Africa

In coup-hit Niger, US seeks to prevent new Russian gain

The United States is seeking to prevent Russia from scoring a major new win with coup-hit Niger, wagering despite initial disappointment that long-standing military ties will keep the country in the Western orbit.

Africa

Senior US diplomat meets with Niger coup leaders, had ‘difficult’ talks

Victoria Nuland met with Niger’s military leaders to press to reverse a coup but reported no headway.

Members of a military council that staged a coup in Niger attend a rally at a stadium in Niamey. Photo: Reuters
Africa

Niger’s junta shuts airspace, warns of attack by foreign powers

Coup leaders defied a deadline to restore the ousted president and said any attempt to fly over the country would be met with ‘an energetic and immediate response’.

A spokesman for the coup leaders, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, is greeted by supporters at a stadium in Niamey on Sunday. Photo: AFP
China-Africa relations

In Niger, China’s path to stability may diverge from Western priorities

After July’s military coup in the West African country, observers are watching to see who Beijing works with to help restore stability in the region.

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Africa

Calm pervades Niger’s capital as deadline to reverse coup expires

In the capital Niamey, citizens seem unfazed by the threat of outside military action following the coup in the country, which is part of a region that has strategic significance for Russia, China and the West.

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