Karin Kneissl believes that France is losing Niger after losing Burkina Faso and Mali. She asserts that African nations have more options on the continent and are capable of choosing whom to collaborate with.
According to Karin Kneissl, former Austrian Foreign Minister from 2017 to 2019, the change of power in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali marks the “official end of Françafrique.” “France is gradually losing its influence in African countries: it was driven out of Mali and Burkina Faso. Niger now intends to close French military bases in its territory,” she stated.
Furthermore, the former Austrian minister highlighted that more opportunities and players are emerging on the continent, and African countries can now choose China, Turkey, Russia, or India as partners. For several months, Paris has experienced increased setbacks on the African continent. Some countries have been affected by anger towards France, particularly in West Africa, leading to the withdrawal of military forces from Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic.
At the end of July, President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by the Nigerien army on national television. Niger, a former French colony, was seen as one of the last allies of Western countries in the Sahel.
To combat terrorist groups operating at the Niger-Mali-Burkina Faso border, Paris provided drones and fighter planes and deployed 1,500 soldiers there. Additionally, France is reliant on Niger’s abundant uranium reserves.
