Niger’s Military Junta Bans French Aid Organization Amidst Strained Relations
The military junta in Niger has officially prohibited the French non-governmental organization, Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (Acted), from operating within the country. This decision further exacerbates the already tense relations between Niger and France. The interior ministry of Niger issued a decree on Tuesday, revoking Acted’s operational license, yet it failed to provide any rationale for this significant action. In a similar vein, another local aid organization, Niger’s Action for Well-Being (APBE), also saw its license withdrawn.
Acted has been a prominent player in Niger since 2010, focusing its efforts on assisting communities that have been uprooted due to escalating jihadist violence and the impact of natural disasters. The junta’s decision to ban this well-established organization aligns with their broader strategy to distance Niger from its Western partners, especially following their rise to power in a coup last year. In a notable shift in alliances, the junta has turned its gaze toward Russia for security support, leading to the expulsion of French troops who were previously stationed in the country to combat jihadist threats, as well as the ousting of the French ambassador.
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This ban on Acted is part of a larger trend observed across the Sahel region, where multiple military takeovers have occurred amidst a backdrop of rising extremist violence. In a significant development last month, the United States withdrew all its military personnel from Niger after the junta terminated a crucial agreement that had permitted American troops to operate within the country. Prior to the coup, Niger was regarded as the last bastion for Western forces in the region, tasked with countering threats posed by jihadist groups associated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State.
