France expelled two Nigerien intelligence officers working at their country's embassy in Paris in September, Business Insider Africa reported on 12 October. The outlet places the expulsions against the deterioration of security cooperation between Paris and Niamey.
According to the report, which draws on information published by Le Monde on 8 October, the two officers belonged to Niger's General Directorate of Documentation and External Security. They were declared persona non grata on 16 September 2026 and left France three days later.
A French diplomatic source cited by Le Monde said their continued presence was no longer justified in the absence of bilateral cooperation. In a separate report on 9 October, RFI said France's foreign ministry had confirmed the expulsions to the broadcaster.
Business Insider Africa also revisits a separate case involving two Malian intelligence officers expelled in September 2025 after Yann Vézilier's arrest in Bamako. Malian authorities accused the Frenchman of involvement in an attempt to destabilise the government, allegations Paris rejected. He was later pardoned and released in August 2026.
Relations between France and Niger deteriorated following the July 2023 coup. The last French troops left Niger on 22 December that year, and France closed its embassy in Niamey. Niger's diplomatic mission in Paris remained open, according to the reporting on the expulsions.
Although the two cases occurred at different times and under different circumstances, Business Insider Africa presents them as signs of weakening French security ties with the Sahel's military-led governments, as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso pursue alternative partnerships, including with Russia.
