In November 2024, Niger’s military junta announced the expulsion of the French aid organization Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), marking a significant escalation in the country’s growing confrontation with France and Western influences. The move came in the wake of the July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and installed a military regime under General Abdourahamane Tiani. The junta has since sought to sever ties with France and other European powers, which it accuses of meddling in Niger’s internal affairs.
ACTED, one of the largest humanitarian organizations operating in the Sahel, has been active in Niger for many years, focusing on delivering essential services such as food aid, water, sanitation, health care, and education, particularly in conflict-affected regions. The organization’s work is crucial in a country that faces chronic poverty, food insecurity, and displacement due to the ongoing conflict with Islamist insurgents. ACTED’s expulsion comes amidst broader tensions in the region, as the military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all moved to reduce or expel foreign NGOs and diplomatic missions from their countries, accusing them of acting as instruments of foreign influence.
The junta’s decision to expel ACTED is part of a wider crackdown on French and European-backed NGOs, reflecting the junta’s push for greater autonomy and its growing hostility towards former colonial powers. The military leaders in Niger, like their counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso, have voiced anti-colonial rhetoric, framing their efforts as a rejection of neocolonialism and foreign interference. ACTED was accused by the Nigerien government of being part of a broader network of foreign actors that, according to the junta, have contributed to the country’s instability and security challenges.
The expulsion of ACTED is particularly concerning because of the organization’s vital role in addressing humanitarian needs in Niger, especially in regions impacted by conflict and environmental challenges. The ban could exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation, as Niger faces one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the world, along with significant displacement caused by violence and extremist groups. The international community, including the European Union and the United Nations, has expressed concern about the consequences for Niger’s vulnerable populations, urging the junta to reconsider its stance.
The expulsion of ACTED represents a turning point in Niger’s relationship with foreign aid organizations and signals the junta’s desire to reshape the country’s political and diplomatic trajectory, distancing itself from Western influence while asserting greater national sovereignty.
