France has rejected accusations that it was behind a recent military mutiny in Niger, deepening tensions between Paris and the military-led government in Niamey.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot dismissed the allegations, describing them as “pure fantasies.”
His comments came after Niger’s government accused France of helping instigate the unrest that erupted in the capital in late August.
Niger says it has collected evidence relating to the alleged foreign involvement. However, detailed evidence supporting the accusation has not been made public. France has denied any role in the events.
France rejects Niger mutiny accusations
Barrot addressed the allegations during an interview with French broadcaster RFI.
He said France had neither the intention nor the means to carry out the operation alleged by Niger.
The French minister also accused Niger’s authorities of wrongly blaming Paris for developments inside the West African country.
The response marks another escalation in the increasingly hostile relationship between the two countries.
Niger accuses France of backing unrest
Niger’s military government made its latest accusations following a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by General Abdourahamane Tiani.
Authorities accused France of leading a network that allegedly encouraged the mutiny.
The government said individuals involved in the uprising had received promises of support as part of what it described as a foreign-backed operation.
Niamey also said it had compiled documentation relating to the attack and could take the issue before international courts.
The accusation has not been accompanied by detailed evidence made public by Niger.
What happened in Niamey?
The unrest erupted on August 29 when mutinous soldiers attacked several strategic locations in the capital.
The airport and presidency were targeted, while fighting also took place around Air Base 101.
Nigerien forces later regained control of the base. The incident represented one of the most serious internal challenges to Tiani’s government since he took power in the 2023 coup.
The unrest also highlighted tensions within Niger’s armed forces as the country continues to battle armed groups across the Sahel.
Niger-France relations remain tense
Relations between Niger and France have deteriorated sharply since the military takeover in July 2023.
Niger ended its longstanding security partnership with Paris and ordered French forces to leave the country.
At the same time, Niamey has strengthened relations with Russia and deepened cooperation with neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso through the Alliance of Sahel States.
Russian Africa Corps personnel also helped Nigerien forces regain control during the recent mutiny, according to reporting on the incident.
The latest dispute adds another source of tension to an already strained relationship between Niger and its former colonial power.
For now, Niger maintains that France played a role in the unrest, while Paris categorically rejects the allegation.