Niger Suspends Cooperation with International Francophone

Military leaders in Niger have decided to suspend all forms of cooperation with the International Organization of French-speaking Nations.

A spokesperson for the ruling military council in Niger stated late on Sunday that France has long exploited the organization, comprising 88 members, as a tool to advance its interests.

The military council took control in a coup in July, drawing strong condemnation from France and other Western allies.

French forces quickly withdrew, ending their assistance in combating a long-running jihadist insurgency in the West African nation.

The organization had already suspended most of its cooperation with Niger last week in response to the coup, but it stated that it would maintain programs "directly benefiting civilian populations and those contributing to the restoration of democracy."

The organization's stated mission is to promote the French language, support peace and democracy, and encourage education and development in French-speaking countries around the world, many of which are former French colonies.

The military council's statement called on the African people to "liberate their minds from colonialism and enhance their national languages in line with the ideas of the founding fathers of the African Unity movement."