On Tuesday, November 12, the military regime in power in Niger withdrew the operating authorization of the French NGO Acted. He did not specify the reasons for this decision, which adds to a long list of positions hostile to France.
“The operating authorization granted to the NGO called “Development Aid and Cooperation Agency – Actuó” (…) retires » starting Tuesday, indicated the Ministry of the Interior in a decree consulted by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The order, signed by the minister, General Mohamed Toumba, does not indicate any reason.
Another Nigerien NGO, Action pour le bien-être (APBE), was subject to the same sanction, in a separate decree.
“The march towards national sovereignty is in full progress! »Ibrahim Bana, a pro-regime Nigerien personality and social media influencer, declared on his Facebook page. “The withdrawal of approval from certain NGOs, whose actions do not align with the priorities of our people, is a strong signal. Niger thus demonstrates that it is the master of its destiny, that international aid must respect our vision, our values and our needs.”he added.
Six young French humanitarians from Acted murdered in 2020
Since coming to power through a coup d’état in July 2023, the regime of the Niamey generals has increased its hostile positions towards the West and towards France in particular, making national sovereignty its priority.
In particular, the junta achieved the departure of French and then American soldiers, deployed in the framework of the fight against jihadist groups, and expelled the French ambassador. As for the Franco-Nigerian cultural center, it ceased to function as a binational establishment.
Present in Niger since 2009, Acted intervened to “provide an emergency response” to displaced populations, in this country where several areas are prey to jihadist violence.
In 2020, six young French humanitarians from Acted were killed along with their Nigerian driver and guide in a jihadist attack near Niamey, claimed by the Islamic State organization. Actu then temporarily suspended its activities in Niger, but assured that it had no intention of leaving the country.
