No direct or indirect interference from French imperialism

Published by the Workers’ Communist Party of France (PCOF), July 31, 2023. Translated by Leonard Zorfass for the Red Phoenix.

In Niger, a military coup has overthrown President Bazoum. High-ranking officials from the armed forces, including General Tchiani, head of the Presidential Guard, have suspended the constitution, closed the borders, and established a National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

A significant opposition to the regime of Issoufou (2011-2021) and his successor Bazoum have rallied behind the CNSP. Supportive demonstrations have taken place in the capital, Niamey, and other cities, but the majority of the population is “waiting to see.”

The population is fed up with the extreme poverty in a country rich in various minerals, exploited by multinational corporations, including Orano (formerly Areva), which has been mining uranium in Niger for decades. They can no longer tolerate the presence of French military troops from the Barkhane force redeployed to Niger after the forced withdrawal of French troops from Mali and Burkina Faso. The “security situation,” meaning the presence and actions of jihadist groups, remains significant, despite the presence of 1,500 French soldiers, French bases, US special units with their drones, and German and Italian instructors. Hence, one of the slogans during the demonstrations is, “French soldiers, get out, Barkhane, get out.”

French imperialism and its allies in the EU refuse to meet with their “ally” in Niger, the “privileged partner of the EU in Sahel,” distancing itself. They demand the reinstatement of the removed head of state and have organized an economic, financial, and commercial blockade of this landlocked country to “apply pressure” on the junta. However, the first and primary victims of this blockade are the people, both in urban and rural areas.

Macron has declared that he “will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests and will respond immediately and firmly.” However, he knows that direct military intervention would provoke a popular response in Niger, increase opposition to French imperialism in other countries in the region, and potentially face opposition within France itself. That’s why Macron has mobilized the heads of state and governments of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States –Ed.) countries, at least those who remain allies of French imperialism, to organize not only the criminal blockade of Niger but also to prepare for a joint military intervention. The origins of such intervention was discussed in early July during an ECOWAS summit, currently presided over by Nigeria, aiming to “put an end to coups d’état” in the region of Africa.

Similar to Mali and Burkina Faso, Russian flags have been raised in the demonstrations. French leaders and those of EU countries engaged in the Sahel region (Germany and Italy) see this as evidence that the demonstrators have been manipulated by Russia. It is evident that Russia is trying to capitalize on the difficulties faced by French imperialism to expand its influence and control over the wealth of Niger, as it has in other African countries. This is a concrete production of the imperialist power struggle taking place among various imperialist forces, notably in Africa. The peoples have nothing to gain by lining up behind one or the other of these imperialist powers and, for us, this means denouncing “our” imperialism and demanding the withdrawal of its troops.

No to the criminal blockade threatening the people of Niger!

Withdrawal of French troops from Niger!

No to imperialist interference in Niger!

Categories: France, International, Niger