Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/niger-junta-ngo-ban-acted-9d2d8dd3905eed35a228e35f67f20b7b
Without specific reasons, the current military junta in Niger banned French aid nonprofit Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (Acted) from working in the country due to tensions with France. Acted had worked in Niger helping people displaced by jihadist violence and natural disasters since 2010. Additionally, the aid group Niger’s Action for Well-Being (APBE) had it’s license taken away. Niger’s current ruling military junta took over in a coup orchestrated last year, pulling away from Western countries and instead looking towards Russia for security. The leaders removed all French soldiers fighting against jihadists and the French ambassador. The U.S. also withdrew its military from Niger in September due to the end of an agreement allowing U.S. military operation there.
It seems that the leaders in Niger are distancing themselves from their old colonial power, France, with a goal to become more independent and do things in certain ways France may have not approved of. Russia and China have become increasingly more involved in Africa, deploying their soft power like economic and perhaps political aid to the region. France had many colonies in Africa and are still influencing them today. With Niger moving away from France and looking towards Eastern powers, other countries in Africa who may not have a good relationship with France or Western countries may aim to make that shift as well. If aid from the U.S. and the West is no longer wanted in Africa, places already plagued with terrorism may see an uprise in those extremist groups.
Niger’s junta in power is likely taking these steps (removing French and American influence) to reflect the country’s desire to move away from those powers, protecting the country’s sovereignty. Perhaps to stay in power, other governments in neighboring nations will decide to take Niger’s approach as well because their public pushes for them to do so. France may try to work through other ways to provide aid to the region and fight to maintain influence. And international nonprofits could try to work around the ban in order to still provide their resources. The question is how will Niger’s junta replace French support, will Russia’s aid be enough despite it being in a costly war currently? Will China step up to provide support as well?
Through banning French NGOs and other aid groups, Niger’s junta is stating its sovereignty and aversion of foreign influence or effects of post-colonialism. This movement also hints at the possibility of the world going towards a more multipolar situation as more countries bandwagon with Russia, China, North Korea, etc. to combat Western powers.