The Republic of Niger Announces Mobilization to “Prepare for War with France”

The Republic of Niger has announced a mobilization to prepare for entering what it called a ‘war with France.’

The statement was made by General Amadou Abdramane, Chief of Staff to the country’s leader Abdourahamane Tchiani, during a rally, according to Le Figaro.

“Understand this: we are going to war with France. We were not at war before, but now we are going to war,” he said.

The decree on general mobilization in the Republic of Niger was adopted at a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Tchiani at the end of December last year, according to the pro-government outlet Lesahel.

According to General Ibro, the mobilization was declared to confront France.

The Republic of Niger regularly accuses France of attempting to destabilize the country.

Tchiani has also accused French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as the leaders of Benin and Côte d’Ivoire – Patrice Talon and Alassane Ouattara – of supporting Islamist terrorist groups.

According to him, these countries were behind the attack on Niamey Airport at the end of January 2026.

The spokesperson for the French Armed Forces General Staff, Colonel Guillaume Vernet, said that “there can be no question of French involvement in the Republic of Niger.”

He described Ibro’s statements as ‘information warfare’ launched by the Nigerien side.

Niger was a French colony until 1960. Relations between the two countries deteriorated after the military coup in July 2023, shifting from close partnership to open hostility.

The new authorities in the Republic of Niger demanded the withdrawal of French troops and the ambassador, accusing Paris of neocolonialism. This led to the suspension of military cooperation and a rollback of French influence in the country.