Since the coup in July 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown, Niger's leaders have made "national sovereignty" a guiding principle.
Now, the French language is to be removed as an official language, and Hausa will be spoken instead. French and English will, however, still be allowed as working languages, according to a statement.
Of around 26 million inhabitants, only three million speak French, while Hausa - a language that has spread across West Africa through the Hausa people's extensive trade - is spoken by the majority of Nigeriens. Moreover, around 20 local languages are spoken in the country, of which nine will become official "spoken languages" according to the junta.
Since the takeover, Niger has expelled both French and American soldiers, as well as the French ambassador.
In other efforts to break with France and other major powers, several streets and monuments have been renamed, from French-sounding to local languages, and in February this year, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was also ordered to leave the country immediately.
Instead, ties have been strengthened with the juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as Russia.
Facts: Niger
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The West African country, which is two-thirds desert, is one of the poorest in the world.
Half of the country's 26.2 million inhabitants live in poverty.
Since Niger gained independence from France in 1960, the country has been hit by several coups.
The country's first democratic transfer of power ever took place in 2021 when Mohamed Bazoum was elected president after his predecessor voluntarily stepped down.
Bazoum was ousted in July 2023 by the current ruling military junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani.
