France has expelled two Nigerien intelligence officers, marking another deterioration in its relations with military-led governments in West Africa’s Sahel region.
The officers, who were assigned to Niger’s embassy in Paris, were declared persona non grata on September 16, 2026.
They left France three days later, according to reporting by French newspaper Le Monde.
The expulsions follow a separate dispute involving two Malian intelligence officers in September 2025.
Together, the incidents highlight growing tensions between France and countries that once maintained close security and intelligence partnerships with Paris.
France orders Niger intelligence officers to leave
The two Nigerien officers reportedly worked for Niger’s General Directorate of Documentation and External Security.
According to Le Monde, French authorities decided that their continued presence was no longer justified following the breakdown of intelligence cooperation between Paris and Niamey.
A French diplomatic source said the two countries no longer maintained the intelligence relationship that had previously supported their security cooperation.
Business Insider Africa also reported that a Nigerien source cited by Le Monde accused one of the officers of monitoring Nigerien opposition figures living in France.
However, the allegation has not been independently verified.
The available reporting does not establish that either officer was charged with a criminal offence.
The decision comes amid wider disagreements between France and Niger over diplomatic relations, security cooperation and foreign military involvement.
Earlier dispute with Mali adds to tensions
France’s latest expulsions follow a separate diplomatic confrontation with Mali in September 2025.
At the time, French authorities ordered two Malian intelligence officials to leave the country.
The move followed the arrest of French intelligence officer Yann Vézilier in Bamako.
Malian authorities accused Vézilier of involvement in an alleged attempt to destabilise the military-led government of President Assimi Goïta.
France rejected the accusations, maintaining that he was an accredited member of its diplomatic mission.
According to the reporting, a Malian court subsequently sentenced Vézilier to 20 years in prison.
He was later pardoned and released in August 2026.
The dispute contributed to the further deterioration of security relations between France and Mali.
Although the Nigerien and Malian cases arose under different circumstances, both reflect the weakening of intelligence cooperation between Paris and Sahel governments.
France’s military withdrawal reshapes Sahel relations
France previously maintained a substantial military presence across the Sahel, working with regional governments on counterterrorism operations.
However, political changes and diplomatic disagreements have transformed those relationships.
French forces withdrew from Mali in 2022.
In Niger, the July 2023 military takeover that removed President Mohamed Bazoum triggered a major dispute with Paris.
Niger’s military authorities, led by Abdourahamane Tiani, demanded the withdrawal of French troops.
France completed the departure of approximately 1,500 military personnel from Niger in December 2023.
Paris also closed its embassy in Niamey, although Niger’s diplomatic mission in France remained open.
These developments significantly reduced France’s direct military and diplomatic presence in the two countries.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso strengthen regional alliance
As relations with France deteriorated, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso expanded cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States.
The three countries established the alliance to coordinate security and political priorities.
Their governments have increasingly sought to develop security arrangements outside traditional partnerships with France.
Russia has become an important alternative partner, expanding military cooperation and its presence in the region through Africa Corps.
However, the changing partnerships have also raised questions about the future of regional security cooperation and efforts to address armed violence across the Sahel.
The three countries continue to face serious security challenges, including attacks by armed groups and instability affecting civilian communities.
Intelligence disputes reflect wider diplomatic divisions
The expulsions illustrate how disagreements over political authority, security and foreign involvement have affected relations between France and several Sahel governments.
Niger’s military authorities have repeatedly accused France of supporting efforts to destabilise the country.
French officials have rejected those allegations.
Meanwhile, Paris has maintained that its diplomatic and security decisions reflect changes in its relationships with the governments concerned.
The latest developments suggest that restoring intelligence cooperation could remain difficult without broader diplomatic progress.
For Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, the shift also reflects efforts to redefine their international partnerships.
As the Sahel’s security landscape continues to change, relations between France and its former regional partners remain uncertain.