Niger’s ruling military junta has ordered the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to leave the country immediately, marking the latest move in its tightening control over foreign organizations.
According to sources, Niger has officially “terminated its agreements” with the ICRC, prompting some foreign staff to begin leaving the country. Reports indicate that the humanitarian organization closed its office in the capital, Niamey, on Tuesday.
The Nigerien government has not provided a specific reason for the expulsion. However, the Red Cross had been active in the country since 1990, providing aid to victims affected by years of violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Since seizing power in a coup in July 2023, Niger’s military rulers have emphasized “national sovereignty,” distancing the country from Western allies and forging closer ties with military-led governments in Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as Russia.
In January, Interior Minister General Mohamed Toumba announced stricter oversight of NGOs and development organizations, stating that investigations had linked some of them to groups allegedly supporting terrorism.
The expulsion of the ICRC follows similar actions taken in November when Niger revoked the licenses of the French humanitarian NGO Acted and the local non-profit APBE. The junta has also expelled French and U.S. troops combating regional jihadist threats and ordered the French ambassador to leave the country.
