The main French educational institution, lycee "La Fontaine," has closed in Niger's capital, Niamey, the Malijet media outlet reported.
Officially, the management of the lycee, founded more than 60 years ago, attributed the closure to "diplomatic tensions between Paris and Niamey."
"Founded in the 1960s, it was one of the last bastions of French education in Niger," the outlet said.
More than 800 teenagers used to study there earlier, and recently 200. 50 children, mostly French citizens, left Niger during the withdrawal of the French military contingent, the portal said, citing sources at the lycee.
The media described the decision to close "La Fontaine" before the start of the new school year as a "historic event" for Niger, which is about to take over the education system.
In late July, a group of military officers from the Nigerien Presidential Guard staged a coup and announced the ouster of elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, led by Guard Commander Abdourahamane Tiani, was formed to govern the country.
In August, amid anti-French demonstrations in Niger, the country's military authorities also announced the cancellation of military agreements with France. In December 2023, the last French troops deployed in Niger left the country.
In addition to the troop withdrawal, which Paris completed at the end of 2023, Niger secured the expulsion of the French ambassador to the West African country, Sylvain Itte, and ended cooperation with the International Organization of Francophone Nations.