NIAMEY, Niger — Niger has accused France of backing a failed military coup attempt last week, saying a group of soldiers who attacked key sites in the capital were part of a wider network allegedly led by Paris.
In a statement, Niger’s government said its cabinet had concluded that the attempted takeover was driven by an extensive network involving several people who had participated in planning the operation.
The government said it had gathered evidence linking the attack to the alleged network and that it reserved the right to take the matter to international courts.
France has previously rejected accusations that it is interfering in Niger’s internal affairs.
Rebel soldiers attacked Niamey airport and the presidential complex on August 29, while explosions and gunfire were also reported near a key military base in the capital.
Government forces loyal to the authorities regained control of the sites, bringing the attempted takeover to an end.
The incident highlighted divisions within Niger’s armed forces at a time when the country is facing growing security challenges, including persistent attacks by armed groups in the Sahel.
General Abdourahamane Tiani seized power in Niger in a military coup on July 26, 2023, overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum and subsequently consolidating military rule.
The latest attempted coup comes amid a dramatic deterioration in relations between Niger and its former colonial power.
Niger gained independence from France in 1960, but the two countries maintained close political, economic and military ties for decades after independence.
French military forces had maintained a significant presence in Niger as part of regional efforts to combat jihadist groups operating across the Sahel. That cooperation collapsed after the 2023 coup, with Niger’s military authorities demanding the withdrawal of French troops.
The relationship has also been shaped by Niger’s economic importance, particularly its uranium resources, which have long attracted French interest.
In the years following independence, Niger’s armed forces included a significant number of officers who had previously served in the French colonial military, reflecting the depth of the military links between the two countries.
Relations deteriorated sharply after Tiani’s takeover, as the new authorities rejected French influence and sought to strengthen ties with other international partners.
Niger has since joined Mali and Burkina Faso in the Alliance of Sahel States, a regional bloc formed by military-led governments that have also distanced themselves from France.
The government in Niamey has repeatedly accused Paris of seeking to undermine its sovereignty, while France has denied involvement in efforts to destabilise Niger.
The latest allegations are likely to further deepen tensions between the two countries, while raising questions about the stability of Niger’s military government and divisions within its security forces.
Niger’s authorities have not publicly detailed the evidence they say links France to the failed coup attempt.
