Niger's army blames France for thwarted coup attempt

The senior officers of Niger's armed forces announced on Tuesday that they believe France played a direct role in a recent mutiny that was quickly suppressed, Al Jazeera reported. The accusation follows a brief flare‑up in the capital where a faction of soldiers attempted to seize key installations before being detained by loyalist troops.

According to Al Jazeera, the Nigerien military spokesperson said the plot was orchestrated by French intelligence agents seeking to destabilise the current regime. The statement cited intercepted communications and alleged financial transfers as evidence, though no concrete documents were released to the public.

French authorities have flatly denied any participation. A spokesperson for the French Ministry of Defence told Al Jazeera that France has no operational presence in Niger that could influence internal military affairs and that “any suggestion of involvement is unfounded.” The French embassy in Niamey reiterated its commitment to respecting Niger's sovereignty while urging calm and dialogue.

The dispute revives a fraught history between the two nations. France has maintained a military footprint in the Sahel for decades, primarily to combat jihadist insurgencies. However, the 2023 coup that ousted Niger’s democratically elected president strained that partnership, prompting France to withdraw most of its troops in 2024. Since then, diplomatic relations have been punctuated by accusations of interference and a series of retaliatory measures, including the expulsion of French diplomats and the suspension of aid programs.

Analysts warn that the latest allegation could further destabilise an already volatile region. Niger sits at the heart of a belt of countries grappling with insurgency, political upheaval, and competing foreign interests from the United States, Russia and China. If the military’s claims gain traction, they may fuel anti‑French sentiment and complicate international efforts to coordinate security operations across the Sahel. For now, both sides remain locked in a war of words, with the Nigerien government promising a thorough investigation while France maintains its stance of non‑involvement.