4.2 CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN THE
FOREIGN POLICY
Lt Colonel Seyni Kountché's regime has continued the
foreign policy of the previous regime towards Africa and Arab countries. Niger
remained an active member of the OCAM, the Chad Basin commission, The River
Niger Commission, and the O.A.U.
Relations with Libya were maintained as before. It will be
recalled that immediately after the coup, Libyan Prime Minister Jalloud flew to
Niamey but he was refused entry. Three days later, he was allowed to enter.
After the meeting of the two leaders, Kountché announced that:
Relations (between them) would be stronger as long as the
movement continues to work for the development and progress of Niger, the
freedom and unity of the African continent and the promotion of the eternal
values of Islam.2
Keeping in line with the civilian government's pro-Arab and
pro Muslim policy, Niger supported the candidature of Somali foreign minister,
Omar Arteh, for the post of administrative Secretary General of the O.A.U. in
June 1974, and in November 1974, Somali President, Said Barre was welcomed in
Niamey on an official tour.
Niger continued to play a major role among Francophone
countries. Lt. Colonel Seyni Kountché was appointed one of the mediators
(the other was Eyadéma of Togo) in the «little» war between
Mali and Upper Volta (Burkina Faso).
Relations with France did not remain as cordial as they were
during the civilian era because the new government had demanded the withdrawal
of the French troops from Niger. French assistance towards the drought relief
continued unabated. There was no cessation of French development aid.
Furthermore, three (3) new agreements were signed with France in September that
year, totaling a sum of 2,500 million CFA francs, as French aid. France even
donated aircraft carriers and ambulances for the Nigerian army.
Military regime in Niger has not changed any foreign policy
principles laid down by the previous civilian government. However, there are
some changes in the practice of Niger's foreign policy. The military government
is pursuing a more neutral and positive approach. The new regime is more
sensitive to the issue to sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is trying
to avoid too much reliance of French aid. The coup d'État in Niger on
April 15th, 1974, was soon followed by the dismissal of the French
military unit stationed in the country, whose commander had been accused of
hindering the change of regime. The present regime, significantly has
repudiated the defense agreement with France. The French military was asked to
leave the country. Their presence it was argued, impugned on the sovereignty of
the country. The military government also recognized North Korea and secured a
Chinese interest-free loan of 12,000 million CFA francs.
A significance departure from the past practice was the new
regime's recognition of Guinea and the exchange of ambassadors. Guinea had
denounced Hanami Diori as a neo-colonialist; Diori in retaliation had refused
to recognize Guinea's independence.
Another character of the present regime is its boldness and
the ability to extract maximum benefits for Niger in international
negotiations. A government spokesman bluntly said, «Niger produces enough
uranium, more than ten times of its need, yet people were dying from hunger,
Niger would re-examine the whole uranium question». Niger successfully
negotiated to increase its share of uranium production and also got the liberty
to fix its price.
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