4.7 MILITARY AND POLITICAL
INTERACTIONS
After eight (8) years of the French troops withdrawal from
Niamey, Franco-Nigerien military relations returned to normal. General Seyni
Kountché signed again the new Libyan Defense pact. France promised more
extensive military support if requested. During Niger's conflict with Libya in
1981, France quietly moved several battalions of combat troops into an area
claimed by Muammar Qaddafi, signaling its willingness to protect its interests
along Niger's Saharan border and in the country's mining areas.
During Seyni Kountché era, there was no French Military
base in Niger. Yet up till now, Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN) are trained and
equipped by the French Army and Armaments Many French officers had served in
Niger' Army training such as the «Tondibia Military Camp, close to the
capital. And even the «Gendarmerie», the police and Republican Guard
forces are concerned. In France, many young Nigerien officers received training
such as «Commando Training».
In the organisation of African Union (Later AU), France
seemed to follow the Nigerien lead. Idé Oumarou became the Secretary
General of O.A.U. (1984 - 1985) with the French support. Because France behaved
that an African from any Francophone countries might take control of the
Organization. The French Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac said: «French's
support in the Nigerien lead of the O.A.U. indicates that national interest was
the determining factor and not eh solidarity of the African countries.»
France demanded to all francophone African countries to vote in favor of
Idé Oumarou. 39
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