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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

The Chinese embassy in Mali bids farewell to ambassador Chen Zhihong and his wife earlier this month. Photo: Handout

China-Africa relations

Routine or rising tensions? Chinese ambassadors in exodus from West Africa

Observers suggest the recent departure of several Chinese ambassadors could be a ‘subtle message’ to Sahelian regimes.

22 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China calls on Niger to tackle disputes with energy firms through dialogue

13 Jun 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Are China-Niger ties a test for Beijing’s cornerstone non-interference policy?

10 Jun 2025 - 6:43PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Why China is working so hard to boost military ties in Africa’s Sahel region

The appointment of China’s new defence attaché to Niger signals a larger move by Beijing to fortify security in Africa, experts say.

25 Feb 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

Colonel-Major Chen Xuming, China’s first ever defence attaché to Niger, is welcomed at a reception in Niamey on February 8. Photo: Handout

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.

10 Nov 2024 - 11:26PM

China-Africa relations

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

China has invested billions in Niger’s oil industry. Now it must solve a political spat if it wants to see any money back.

13 Jul 2024 - 1:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

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

A China-backed pipeline that would make Niger an oil-exporting country is being threatened by an internal security crisis and a diplomatic dispute with neighbouring Benin.

24 Jun 2024 - 11:45AMvideocam

A pipeline built and funded by a Chinese state-owned petroleum company links an oilfield in landlocked Niger to a port in neighbouring Benin. Photo: X / @benjimk

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.

27 May 2024 - 1:15PM

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.

21 May 2024 - 12:00PMvideocam

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.

4 May 2024 - 1:12AM

Protesters demanding US soldiers leave Niger in Niamey last month. Photo: AP

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’.

18 Apr 2024 - 9:53AMvideocam

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.

29 Mar 2024 - 4:00PMvideocam

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.

17 Mar 2024 - 3:13PM

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.

11 Dec 2023 - 12:10PM

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.

5 Dec 2023 - 1:37AM

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’.

20 Oct 2023 - 10:45AM

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’.

25 Sep 2023 - 11:34AM

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.

16 Sep 2023 - 4:25AM

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.

13 Sep 2023 - 3:03AM

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.

22 Aug 2023 - 7:49PM

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.”

20 Aug 2023 - 9:07AM

Volunteers gather near General Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey on August 19 responding to the call from several organisations to be registered as civilian auxiliaries to potentially mobilise in support of the armed forces. Photo: AFP

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.

19 Aug 2023 - 9:32AM

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.

19 Aug 2023 - 12:47AM

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.

17 Aug 2023 - 4:58AM

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.

15 Aug 2023 - 3:32AM

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.

11 Aug 2023 - 12:55PM

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.

10 Aug 2023 - 10:52PM

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.

9 Aug 2023 - 12:07PM

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