Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced their withdrawal from the
International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), effective in six months.
The decision follows their previous suspension from the OIF after military coups
in each country. The governments of these Sahel nations cite sovereignty
concerns and dissatisfaction with the OIF’s stance on their political
transitions.
The move is highly symbolic, as Niger and Mali were founding members of the
OIF in 1970. Additionally, the withdrawal aligns with their broader strategy of
reducing French influence and strengthening regional ties through the Alliance
of Sahel States (AES).
While the OIF regrets their decision, it acknowledges the sovereignty of its
member states. France has not yet officially reacted, but this marks another setback
for its historical influence in West Africa.
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