Mariama Hamani
France has ordered the expulsion of two intelligence officers from Niger’s external security agency (DGDSE) who were stationed at the Nigerien embassy in Paris, marking a further deterioration in relations between the two nations. The decision, announced on September 16, 2026, follows a pattern of retaliatory measures between Paris and Niamey since the military takeover in Niger last year.
Forced departure of Nigerien intelligence personnel
The two DGDSE officers, officially accredited to Niger’s diplomatic mission in France, were declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country. A French diplomatic source confirmed that their continued presence was deemed incompatible with the current state of bilateral relations, which have seen cooperation grind to a halt.
Nigerien authorities have denied any wrongdoing, but French intelligence sources cited by French media allege that at least one of the expelled officers was engaged in surveillance activities targeting Nigerien dissidents based in France. The move underscores how deeply security cooperation, once a cornerstone of the relationship, has eroded.
The 2023 coup that shattered Franco-Nigerien relations
This latest measure must be understood in the context of the July 26, 2023 military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Paris, which had strongly supported the elected government, refused to recognize the new military leadership led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, branding the takeover as illegitimate.
The rupture deepened on August 25, 2023, when Niamey ordered the French ambassador, Sylvain Itté, to leave Niger within 48 hours. Paris rejected the ultimatum, arguing that the junta lacked the constitutional authority to make such a demand. After weeks of escalating tensions, President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24, 2023, that France would withdraw its ambassador and all its military forces from Niger—a process completed by the end of 2023.
A spiral of reciprocal sanctions and closures
The diplomatic fallout intensified in February 2024, when multiple French nationals were denied entry to Niger despite holding valid travel documents. At the same time, France began revoking visas for Nigerien citizens, further constricting movement between the two countries. The French embassy in Niamey was eventually closed, with Paris citing severe operational constraints imposed by Nigerien authorities. As of mid-2024, the mission remains shuttered.
The current expulsion of intelligence officers adds to a growing list of obstacles that have severely limited direct communication between the governments of Niger and France. With both sides enforcing stricter controls, the channels for dialogue have narrowed significantly.
Strategic realignment in the Sahel
Beyond the expulsions, the breakdown in relations reflects a broader shift in Niger’s foreign policy. Since the coup, Niamey has strengthened ties with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso—both governed by military juntas—forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This bloc seeks greater political and security autonomy, openly rejecting previous security partnerships with Western powers, including France.
With the withdrawal of French troops, Niger has pivoted toward alternative security arrangements, including cooperation with Russia and regional alliances. Paris, in turn, has defended its military presence as crucial for combating armed groups, but its operations in Niger have now ceased entirely.
What lies ahead for Paris and Niamey?
The expulsion of the two intelligence officers signals another low in an already fraught relationship. While the Nigerien embassy in Paris remains operational, the absence of functional cooperation channels raises serious concerns about future engagement.
For ordinary citizens in both countries, the consequences are tangible. Diplomatic paralysis has delayed consular services, economic exchanges, and regional security initiatives. A return to normalcy would require trust-building measures, mutual concessions, and a willingness to reopen communication channels—without either side abandoning its core interests.
Until then, the expulsion serves as a stark reminder of a diplomatic crisis that began in July 2023 and continues to unfold, leaving both nations grappling with the challenge of maintaining communication amid deepening mistrust and strategic divergence.
Boureima Amadou
