In an interview with Western media, Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum acknowledged that France's policy in Africa is not very successful, but at the same time defended the French presence in the Sahel region.
"It’s true that French policy in Africa is not a great success right now. [...] But is it France's fault? I don't think so. France is an easy target for the populist discourse of certain opinions, especially on social media among African youth," the president stated.
According to the media, Bazoum tried to smooth over internal criticism of his decision to increase the French military presence in Niger, saying that intelligence from Paris had helped Niger a lot in the fight against terrorism.
The president also said that institutions in Niger are strengthening, despite the continuing problems associated with instability, poverty, and hunger in some parts of the country. According to Bazoum, there is "no chance" of a possible military coup in the nation.
Niger is located in the Sahel region of Africa, one of the more problematic areas on the continent due to terrorist activity and illegal migration.
According to Dr. Felix Ndahinda, honorary assistant professor at the University of Rwanda, who earlier gave an interview to Sputnik, France "seeks to be, or seeks to remain, a major player" in Africa, "where growing [international] competition has eroded [French] influence."
France's influence in the Sahel substantially decreased after Paris withdrewits soldiers from Mali and Burkina Faso at the request of the local military administrations and against the backdrop of anti-French and pro-Russian demonstrations in the region.
The French troops, which were present in Mali and Burkina Faso with the declared goal of combating the terrorism that has plagued the region since 2011, withdrew in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
*terrorist organizations banned in Russia and many other countries