The End of Françafrique Niger Declares War on France? Millions of headlines proclaimed that Niger had declared war on France. Formally, this is not the case. And in practical terms it is not entirely clear with whom Niger intends to fight. There are no French troops left in the country. They departed at the end of 2023. Yet the broader reality remains: Africa’s war against colonialism continues. Niger announced the beginning of military actions against France. The statement was made before a crowd at a stadium in Niamey by the military chief under the President of Niger, Amadou Ibro. He clarified that previously there had been no state of war, but that now there was no alternative but to enter one. Legally speaking, this cannot be considered a formal declaration of war. Nor is it clear how such a war would even be conducted, given the absence of French soldiers. What we are witnessing is a sharp escalation in anti-French rhetoric by Niger’s authorities. And there are reasons for ...