CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 SUMMARY
This work is divided into five (5) chapters, which would be
summarized in this chapter in order to bring out the linkage towards the
development of this course of study.
The first chapter centered on the methodology. It introduced
the research work, which explores on the attempt to positively utilize the
foreign policy of Niger to France under General Seyni Kountché (1974 -
1987) for rapid economic growth and development because of the uranium boom at
that time in Niger. It also highlighted on the former regime's foreign policy,
on the political breakdown between the new military regime (under General Seyni
Kountché) and France as colonial master, and on the normal period of
relationship between the two counties. There is the provision for the research
problem, research methodology, significance and justification of the study, the
theoretical framework was based on the dependency and underdevelopment theory
whi9ch picture on the socio-economic and political terrain of most their world
countries especially Niger Republic aims and objectives of this study, the
hypothesis was based on the impact and historical ties of French colonialism in
Niger and the role of France's neo-colonial interest in Niger in shaping
Niger's relationship with France under Kountché's and scope and
limitation covered the period of 1974-1987.
The second chapter is centered on the review of literature.
This stressed on the general argument of depended and underdevelopment theory
as well as other school o thoughts. It went further to drawing a concluding
statement on the gap, which this work intends to fill.
The third chapter reflects Niger republic in all aspects
(government, economy, political background, historical background, economy and
geography, the different ethnic groups, etc). This is the background to the
study.
The forth chapter elaborate extensively on the project topic
(Niger's foreign policy to France under Foreign policy pronouncement since the
first republic (under Hamani Diori). In addition, the continuity and change in
Niger's foreign policy, the economic, diplomatic, political and military
relations with France under Kountché were highlighted with reference.
5.2 CONCLUSION
We have studied the bilateral relations between Niger as
former colony and France as a colonial master on the basis of specified indices
of interaction such as political, military, diplomatic and economic.
Niger's foreign policy was also personality-centered.
President Hamani Diori was the principal formulator of Niger's foreign policy.
Niger publicly acknowledges the economic and financial contribution of its
former colonial master, France. President Hamani Diori wanted to retain Niger's
special relationship with France. A larger number of French administrators
continued to play an important role in the central administration of Niger long
after independence. In 1962, the French Ambassador to Niger was its former
governor. Niger found it convenient to employ former French officials since
their salaries were paid by the French technical assistance budget. It has been
also criticized hat president Hamani Diori as being pro-west and
conservative.
The military rulers led by Lt. Colonel (later General) Seyni
Kountché who overthrew the Hamani regime while maintaining cordial
relationship with France, have been able to obtain the withdrawal of French
troops from Niger. Niger has begun to assert herself whenever questions of
national interest arise. Again, this has been possible because of two major
elements, i.e. change of the leadership and the uranium exploitation.
Despite the discovery of uranium by French companies, Niger is
still one of the poorest nations in the world. Niger always looks toward
Europe, USA and Japan for foreign investment in her projects. The new head of
state has seen this attitude as exploitation by France.
The French military was asked to leave the country but has not
affected the special relation existing between the countries. The new military
regime didn't change the previous regime's Foreign policy principles and
objectives. The noticeable change in the foreign policy practice of Niger
during the military regime is the method of pursuing foreign policy objectives.
It is now vigorously pursued. Secondly, decision seemed to be taken
collectively rather than personally, as was the practice during Hamani Diori's
regime. Seyni Kountché said to the French government that «Niger
would re-examine the whole uranium question and Niger would increase its share
of uranium production and also Niger is free to fix its price».
Niger's economy was and to a large extent still is a
subsistence economy. It's predominantly livestock. Mining was due to start in
1971 with 750 tons to increase gradually up to 1,500 by 1974.The production
target has not been achieved due to political reasons. Even them mining
company, SOMAIR is controlled by French interest. The Niger government has only
invested 20% while French public and private sectors have shared the remaining
80% has been shared by French public and private sector. After the mining
agreements, the Seyni Kountché's regime has been able to increase its
share to 33%.
Much of the close relationship, which existed between Niger
and France during Seyni Kountché's era, can be explained by the French
interest in uranium for their nuclear energy and weapons.
Many factors pushed Niger's relationship to France during
Seyni Kountché's regime. The geographical land locked situation of the
country implies the growing relationship. The stains and imitation on the
foreign policy of Niger emanated from the nature of poor economic and
geographical position of the country, but much of the close relationship that
exists between Niger and France is because France is the major trading partner,
donor and investor in Niger.
The diplomatic relations became normal after a period of
breakdown. The French president, Francois Mitterrand visited Niger in 1982 and
French officers of Army provided training facilities to the cadets of Niger.
And France even supported Niger when Idè Oumarou (1984-1985) contested
in O.A.U.
Overall, Niger and France relations during Seyni
Kountché's regime, even if strained at the first time, the relations are
mutual. And France still remained the major supplier of Niger (about 50%). In
1975, France increased her aid to Niger by one third.
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