On Tuesday, France said its embassy in the Niger Republic was now closed, following months of diplomatic uncertainty between the countries.
The announcement validates earlier disclosed intentions after a military takeover in the African nation that negatively impacted relations between the two nations.
“For five months, our embassy has been severely hampered, making it impossible to carry out its missions,” a spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
Niger had last week halted all collaboration with the International Organisation of Francophone Nations (OIF), progressively severing ties with the country that once ruled it as a colony—France. The 88-member group, which represents Niger’s military leaders, “has always been used by France as an instrument to defend French interests,” its officials said.
Also last month, the leaders of West African neighbours, Mali and Niger, abolished tax agreements with France, further worsening their fractious relations with Paris.
There have been seven military takeovers in West and Central Africa in the past four years alone. ECOWAS, which was established to foster stability and cooperation, saw four of its members experience coups.
Niger had had as crucial allies, Western powers in its war against Islamist rebels, who have slaughtered thousands of people in the Sahel region of West Africa, but things have not been the same since President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in the military coup in July. The US, however, did not withdraw its troops, leaving room for cooperation to resume.