A diplomatic rift with no clear end in sight
The French government’s decision to declare two Nigerien intelligence officers persona non grata has once again exposed the depth of the crisis between Paris and Niamey. The two men, officially assigned to Niger’s embassy in Paris, were ordered to leave France in mid-September and departed three days later. The move has reignited debate over how far the breakdown in relations can go — and whether any channel for dialogue remains open.
Since the July 2023 coup in Niamey, Franco-Nigerien ties have been defined by retaliatory measures, the withdrawal of French forces and a persistent atmosphere of distrust on political, security and diplomatic matters. The latest expulsions are both a symptom and a catalyst of that downward spiral.
Two intelligence officers ordered out of France
France expelled two agents of the Direction générale de la documentation et de la sécurité extérieure (DGDSE), Niger’s foreign intelligence service, who were formally serving at the Nigerien embassy in Paris. They were declared persona non grata on 16 September and left French territory three days later.
A French diplomatic source cited in French media said their presence could no longer be justified given the absence of bilateral cooperation between Paris and Niamey. A Nigerien source, however, claimed that one of the agents was suspected of conducting surveillance activities targeting Nigerien opponents living in France.
The measure comes at a time when cooperation channels between the two capitals have shrunk dramatically. It also highlights the difficulties diplomatic missions face when political trust between states erodes over the long term.
July 2023: the breaking point
To understand this latest affair, it is necessary to go back to 26 July 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by soldiers grouped within the Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie (CNSP), under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tiani.
Paris, which supported the ousted president and demanded the restoration of constitutional order, refused to recognise the legitimacy of the new military authorities. Niamey, for its part, denounced France’s stance and rejected what it considered interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The crisis quickly moved beyond political statements. On 25 August 2023, Nigerien authorities asked France’s ambassador, Sylvain Itté, to leave the country within 48 hours. Paris contested the decision, arguing that the new authorities lacked the legitimacy to end his functions.
After weeks of standoff, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on 24 September 2023 the ambassador’s departure and the withdrawal of French troops stationed in Niger. The military pullout was completed by the end of 2023. That sequence marked a major turning point in relations between the two countries.
Reciprocal expulsions and retaliatory measures
The crisis was not limited to the French ambassador’s departure. It was accompanied by restrictions affecting nationals, visas and diplomatic activities.
In February 2024, several French citizens were turned back upon arrival in Niamey despite holding valid travel documents. According to accounts gathered at the time, Nigerien authorities were demanding specific authorisations for certain French travellers. Paris had also revoked several visas granted to Nigerien nationals, in a context of mutual reprisals.
France’s embassy in Niamey subsequently closed its doors, with French authorities citing serious obstacles to the exercise of its missions. In May 2024, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Senate that the closure would continue until further notice.
The current decision targeting two Nigerien agents thus fits into a long series of measures that have gradually reduced the possibilities for direct dialogue between the two states.
A deeper political and security rupture
Beyond the expulsions, the Franco-Nigerien crisis reflects a political reorientation in Niger. The military authorities in Niamey have progressively strengthened their ties with Mali and Burkina Faso, both also led by military regimes that came to power through coups. The three countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which displays a determination to reinforce the political and security sovereignty of its members.
At the same time, the French military presence — long presented by Paris as an important element in the fight against armed groups in the region — came to an end in Niger. Nigerien authorities have repeatedly criticised French policy in the Sahel, while Paris has defended its actions and denounced the obstacles imposed on its representatives.
This evolution is part of a regional context in which questions of sovereignty, security, military partnerships and control of resources occupy a central place in public debate.
The expulsion of the two agents also reminds us that even when political relations are deeply degraded, diplomatic missions and intelligence activities remain sensitive subjects. The official presence of personnel linked to intelligence services in an embassy is not, in itself, unusual in international relations. However, any accusation of clandestine activity must be examined in the light of verifiable evidence.
What future for dialogue between Paris and Niamey?
The new French measure is a further indicator of the weakness of bilateral relations. It does not necessarily mean a total diplomatic break, since Niger’s embassy in Paris remains open. It does, however, confirm that cooperation between the two countries remains heavily impeded.
For both Nigerien and French populations, the consequences go beyond the diplomatic arena. Reduced institutional exchanges can complicate consular procedures, economic relations, cooperation projects and consultation mechanisms on regional security.
The central question remains the conditions for any eventual normalisation. That would require functioning communication channels, a clarification of disputes and the political will on both sides to resume dialogue without abandoning positions each government considers essential.
In the meantime, the expulsion of the two Nigerien agents appears as another episode in a crisis that began in July 2023 and whose effects continue to be felt. Between distrust, accusations and strategic distancing, Paris and Niamey remain confronted with a major challenge: preserving the means of diplomatic communication even as the trust that once underpinned them has considerably eroded.