Niger's military officials have announced the suspension of all collaboration with the International Organization of Francophone Nations (OIF), Amadou Abdramane, a spokesperson for Niger's government, reportedly said on national television on Sunday.
According to Abdramane, the organization "has always been used by France as an instrument to defend French interests," the media reported.
"The government of Niger calls on the African people to decolonize their minds and promote their own national languages in accordance with the ideas of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism," said the spokesperson.
He explained that this decision followed the OIF's decision on December 19 to suspend Niger’s membership in the organization and its demand for "the rapid restoration of constitutional order and democracy in Niger."
Relations between France and Niger deteriorated after the July coup that brought General Abdrahamane Tiani to power. The new authorities demanded the withdrawal of the French contingent from the country, which was ineffective against terrorists, according to the country's leader. In response, France completely withdrew its troops last week and also announced the indefinite closure of its embassy.