Niger pursues a moderate foreign policy and maintains friendly relations with both East and West.[1] It is a member state of the United Nations. Niger maintains a special relationship with France and enjoys close relations with its West African neighbours.
It is a charter member of the Organization of African Unity and the West African Monetary Union and also belongs to the Niger Basin Authority and the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Economic Community of West African States, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Niger belongs to the United Nations and its main specialized agencies and in 1980-81 served on the UN Security Council. The first president of Niger, Hamani Diori, maintained close relations with the west and became internationally prominent in his diplomatic work, seeking to broker resolutions to conflicts in Africa and beyond. He was particularly prominent in his involvement as a negotiator during the Nigerian Civil War.[2]
Niger maintains a permanent purpose to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, at 417 East 50th Street. In 2009, its Ambassador to the United Nations was Ibrahim A. Abani.[3]
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 18 June 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1980[4] |
Algeria | 12 March 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 March 1965 when the government of Niger has agreed to the nomination of M. Ali Abdellaoui as Algeria's Ambassador in Niamey with residence in Abidjan[5] |
Angola | 28 August 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 August 1980 when Ambassador of Niger to Angola Mr. Joseph Diatta presented his letters of credentials to President M. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos.[6] |
Argentina | 23 June 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 June 1975[7] |
Armenia | 26 November 2016 |
|
Australia | 7 May 2009 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 May 2009[9] |
Austria | 30 January 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 January 1965 when has been appointed Ambassador of Niger to Austria (resident in Bonn) Mr. Abdou Sidikou.[10] |
Azerbaijan | 10 October 1995 | On October 10, 1995, the Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Niger was signed.[11] |
Bahrain | 11 November 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 November 1974[12] |
Bangladesh | 17 February 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 February 1983[13] |
Barbados | 25 June 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1979[14] |
Belarus | 29 March 2012 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 2012[15] |
Belgium | 22 September 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 September 1961 when first Ambassador of Belgium to Niger , M.Gérard Walravens presented his credentials to President Diori Hamani.[16] |
Benin |
Despite the occasional recurrence of a border conflict over Lété Island in the Niger River, Benin and Niger, both former French subjects of French West Africa, relations are close. Niger relies on the port at Cotonou, and to a lesser degree Lomé (Togo), and Port Harcourt (Nigeria), as its main route to overseas trade. Niger operates a Nigerien Ports Authority station, as well as customs and tax offices in a section of Cotonou's port, so that imports and exports can be directly transported between Gaya and the port. French Uranium mines in Arlit, which produce Niger's largest exports by value, travel through this port to France or the world market. | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 18 October 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 October 1995.[17] |
Botswana | 21 December 2006 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 December 2006[18] |
Brazil | 24 October 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 October 1975[19] |
Burkina Faso | 30 June 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1981[20] |
Burundi | 25 April 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 2023[21] |
Cameroon | 13 February 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 February 1974[22] |
Canada | 27 April 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1962[23] |
Central African Republic | 9 May 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 May 1981 when first Ambassador of Niger to Central African Republic with residence in Yaounde Mr. Moustapha Tahi , presented his credentials to President David Dacko.[26] |
Chad | ||
China | 20 July 1974[27] | See China–Niger relations
China established diplomatic relations with Niger on July 20, 1974. On June 19, 1992, the transitional government of Niger declared the reestablishment of the "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. The Chinese Government thus announced its suspension of diplomatic relations with Niger on July 30 of the same year. On August 19, 1996, China and Niger re-established diplomatic relations.[28]
|
Colombia | 5 October 1988 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 October 1988[29] |
Cuba | 25 April 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 1976[30] |
Cyprus | 17 September 2002 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 September 2002 when Cypriot Ambassador Argyros Antoniou presented his credentials to Niger President Tandja Mamadou.[31] |
Czech Republic | 27 August 1969 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 August 1969[32] |
Denmark | 25 May 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 May 1965 when has been accredited Ambassador of Niger to Denmark (resident in Bonn) Mr. Abdou Sidikou.[33] |
Djibouti | 20 April 2009 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 April 2009[34] |
Dominican Republic | 28 September 2018 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 September 2018[35] |
Egypt | 7 July 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1963.[36] |
Eritrea | 17 November 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 November 2023[37][38] |
Estonia | 12 October 2005 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 October 2005[39] |
Ethiopia | 6 October 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 October 1965 when first Ambassador of Ethiopia to Niger (resident in Lagos) Mr. Davit Abdou presented his credentials[40] |
Fiji | 9 September 2014 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 September 2014[41] |
Finland | 28 November 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 November 1975[42] |
France | 4 August 1960
(Foreign relations severed 4 August 2023) |
See France–Niger relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 August 1960[43] Niger has maintained close ties with France, its former colonial power. Following Niger's independence in 1960, France maintained several hundred advisers at all levels of Niger's government and military. In the 1960s, the Military of Niger was drawn entirely from Nigerien former members of the French Colonial Forces: officered by Frenchmen who agreed to take joint French-Nigerien citizenship. In 1960 there were only ten African officers in the Nigerien army, all of low rank. President Diori signed legislation to end the employment of expatriate military officers in 1965, some continued to serve until the 1974 coup, when all French military presence was evacuated.[44] As well, the French had maintained until 1974 around 1,000 troops of the 4th Régiment Interarmes d'Outre-Mer [45] (Troupes de Marine) with bases at Niamey, Zinder, Bilma and Agadez. In 1979 a smaller French force was again based permanently in Niger.[46] Franco-Nigerien relations continue to be close, with France as Niger's top export partner (in value), and the French government being almost entirely dependent upon Niger for the Uranium which fuels its extensive Nuclear Power system, mined in the northern town of Arlit.[47]
|
Gabon | 22 April 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 April 1968 when Gabon's first Ambassador to Niger , M. Moktar Abdoulaye Mbingt , presented his credentials to President Diori.[48] |
Gambia | 23 February 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 February 1981[49] |
Georgia | 30 May 2012 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 May 2012[50] |
Germany | 11 January 1963 | See Germany–Niger relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 January 1963[51] |
Ghana | 24 August 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 August 1961 when has been appointed first Ambassador of Niger to Ghana M. Tanimoune Ary.[54] |
Greece | June 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in June 1979[55] |
Guinea | 20 March 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 March 1962[56] |
Guatemala | 13 November 2007 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 November 2007[57] |
Guyana | 25 June 1979 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1979[58] |
Haiti | 17 December 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 December 1981[59] |
Hungary | 3 February 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 February 1973[60] |
Iceland | 26 January 1970 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 January 1970[61] |
India | 18 July 1977 | See India–Niger relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 July 1977 when the first Ambassador of the Republic of Niger, Illa Salifou, presented the letter of credence to Acting President B.D. Jatti.[62] |
Indonesia | 21 September 2011 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 2011.[66] |
Iran | 11 June 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 June 1975[67] |
Italy | 23 September 1961 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 1961 when first Ambassador of Italy to Niger M. Renzo Luigi Romanelli , presented his credentials to President of Niger Diori Hamani.[68] In December 2017, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni announced that 470 Italian soldiers would be deployed to Niger in an effort to mitigate the European migrant crisis.[69] |
Jamaica | 25 June 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1979[70] |
Jordan | 11 December 2006 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 December 2006 when ambassador of Niger to Jordan Mr. Assoumane Guiaouri, has presented his credentials to King Abdullah.[71] |
Kazakhstan | 21 September 2017 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 2017[72] |
Kenya | 12 May 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 May 1981 when Ambassador of Niger to Kenya presented his credentials to President Daniel Arap Moi.[73] |
Kosovo | 25 January 2013 |
Niger officially recognised the Republic of Kosovo on 15 August 2011.[74] Kosovo and Niger established diplomatic relations on 25 January 2013.[75] |
Kuwait | 22 November 1966 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 November 1966[76] |
Laos | 8 December 2006 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 December 2006[77] |
Latvia | 17 April 2012 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 2012[78] |
Lebanon | 11 March 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 March 1962, when first Lebanese Ambassador to Niger presented his creentials to President Hamani Diori[79] |
Lesotho | 17 August 2017 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 August 2017 when Ambassador of Niger to Lesotho with residence in Pretoria Mme. Rakiatou Mayaki presented his credentials to King Letsie III.[80] |
Liberia | 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961[81] |
Libya | 17 November 1965 | See Libya–Niger relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 November 1965.[82] |
Liechtenstein | 17 December 2008 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 December 2008 when has been accredited first Ambassador of Niger to Liechtenstein (resident in Geneva) Mr. Adani Illo.[83] |
Lithuania | 30 May 2014 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 May 2014[84] |
Luxembourg | 18 December 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 December 1962[85] |
Madagascar | 13 January 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 January 2016 when Ambassador of Niger to Madagascar with residence in Pretoria Mme Rakiatou Mayaki presented his letters of credentials to President Hery Rajaonarimampianina.[86] |
Malawi | 8 March 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 2016 when first High Commissioner of Sierra leone to Malawi (resident in Addis Ababa) Osman Keh Kamara presented his credentials to President Peter Mutharika.[87] |
Mali | 1 August 1962 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1962[88] Niger has close relations with its neighbour Mali, with large scale trade links and sizable population movement between the two nations. Both were subject states in French West Africa. Niger and Mali have fought related Tuareg insurgencies in their respective northern territories in the 1990s and mid-2000s. |
Malta | 11 December 2008 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 December 2008[89] |
Mauritania | 4 December 1969 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 December 1969[90] |
Mauritius | 26 March 2018 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 2018[91] |
Mexico | 6 November 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 November 1975[92] |
Monaco | 9 October 2019 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 October 2019[94] |
Mongolia | 25 March 2015 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 March 2015[95] |
Montenegro | 12 September 2014 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 September 2014[96] |
Morocco | 1 October 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1963[97] |
Namibia | 26 March 2014 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 2014 when has been accredited non-resident Ambassador of Niger to Namibia Mrs. Rakiatou Mayaki.[98] |
Nepal | 20 September 2017 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 September 2017[99] |
Netherlands | 20 December 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 December 1961[100] |
Nicaragua | 8 August 2019 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 August 2019[101] |
Nigeria | 8 June 1961 | See Niger–Nigeria relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1961 when M. Elhad Camatte Hammodon Maiga, ambassador of Niger to Nigeria presented his letters of credentials to the Governor General Azikiwe[102] Nigeria maintains close relations with the Republic of Niger, in part because both nations share a large Hausa minority on each side of their 1,500 km (930 mi) border. Hausa language and cultural ties are strong, but there is little interest in a pan-Hausa state.[103] The two nations formed the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation (NNJC), established in March, 1971 with its Permanent Secretariat in Niamey, Niger.[104]
with the 2023 Nigerien Coup'etat, Niger severed ties with Nigeria.[105] |
North Macedonia | 15 November 2000 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 2000[106] |
Norway | 24 January 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 January 1964[107] |
Oman | 3 September 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1980[108] |
Pakistan | 15 October 1965 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1965[109] Pakistan supports Niger's territorial and sovereign integrity and rejects Libya's advances as aggression. |
Paraguay | 2010 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2010[110] |
Peru | November 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in November 1965[111] |
Philippines | 16 October 1981 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 October 1981[112] |
Poland | 30 June 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1971[113] |
Portugal | 10 July 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 July 1975[114] |
Qatar | 14 September 1982 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1982[115] |
Romania | 20 June 1969 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 June 1969[116] |
Russia | 17 February 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 February 1972[117] |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 31 May 2007 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 May 2007[118] |
Saudi Arabia | 20 November 1966 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 November 1966[76] |
Serbia | 17 March 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 March 1972[119] |
Seychelles | 18 November 2014 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 November 2014 when first ambassador of Niger to Seychelles Rakiatou Mayaki presented his credentials to President James Michel.[120] |
Sierra Leone | 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961[121] |
Singapore | 1 June 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 June 1998[122] |
Slovakia | 26 April 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 April 1995[123] |
Slovenia | 22 June 2006 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 June 2006[124] |
South Africa | 9 May 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 May 1994[125] |
South Korea | 27 July 1961 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 July 1961[126] |
South Sudan | 19 July 2023 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 July 2023 when first ambassador of Niger Mr. Aboubaker Hassane Dan Sokoto (resident in Ndjamena) presented his credentials to President of South Sudan Salva Kiir.[127] |
Spain | May 1965[128] | See Niger–Spain relations
|
Sudan | 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963[129] |
Sweden | 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1964[130] |
Switzerland | 26 May 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1961[131] |
Syria | 13 September 1966 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 September 1966[132] |
Tajikistan | 26 August 2017 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 August 2017[133] |
Thailand | 30 July 1982 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 July 1982[134] |
Togo | 26 October 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 October 1962[135] |
Turkey | 30 March 1967[136] | See Niger–Turkey relations |
Turkmenistan | 22 June 2021 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 June 2021[138] |
Uganda | 8 April 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 April 1975 when accredited first Ambassador of Niger to Uganda (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Oumarou Garba Youssaufou[139] |
Ukraine | 1 October 1999 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1999[140] |
United Kingdom | 3 August 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1960 when Mr. R. J. Stratton was appointment as Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the United Kingdom to Niger.[141] |
United States | 3 August 1960
(Foreign relations severed 4 August 2023) |
See Niger–United States relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1960[142] A conservative foreign policy has meant that under Niger's first president and—following military coup—the 1974–1991 military government, Niger maintained good relations with the United States, Israel, and NATO governments in general. During the Cold War, Niger maintained a non-confrontational attitude to the Soviet Union and its allies.[143]
|
Uruguay | 6 March 2013 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 March 2013[144] |
Venezuela | 8 October 2005 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 October 2005[145] |
Vietnam | 7 March 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 March 1975[146] |
Yemen | 4 January 1985 | Niger and Yemen Arab Republic established diplomatic relations on 4 January 1985[147] |
Zimbabwe | 10 February 1986 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 February 1986[148] |
Niger has only 24 permanent embassies abroad, although more have permanent representation in Niamey, either through national embassies or other representatives. The United Kingdom, for instance, operates its permanent office for relations to Niger from Accra, Ghana, while Niger's permanent representative resides at the Nigerien Embassy in Paris.
Many other small or distant nations have no formal diplomatic relations with Niamey except through their respective consulates at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Australia, for instance, only signed the instruments of formal diplomatic relations with Niamey on 7 May 2009, through their respective consular officials at the UN.[3]
Libya has in the past claimed a strip along their border of about 19,400 km2 in northern Niger. There have been several decades of unresolved discussions regarding the delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad between Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon. The lack of firm borders, as well as the receding of the lake in the 20th century led to border incidents between Cameroon and Chad in the past. An agreement has been completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.
Niger has an ongoing conflict with Benin over Lété Island, an island in the River Niger approx. 16 kilometres long and 4 kilometres wide, located around 40 kilometers from the town of Gao, Niger. Together with other smaller islands in the River Niger, it was the main object of a territorial dispute between Niger and Benin, which had begun when the two entities were still under French rule. The island, and seasonally flooded land around it is valuable to semi-nomadic Puel cattle herders as a dry season pasturage. The two countries had almost gone to war over their border in 1963 but finally chose to settle by peaceful means. In the early 90s a joint delimitation commission was tasked with solving the issue but could not reach an agreement. In 2001 the two parties chose to have the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decide on the matter once and for all. In 2005, the ICJ ruled in Niger's favour.[149]
Niger has ongoing processes delimiting sections of their borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, disputes which date back to the colonial period. These entities, along with Benin and other nations which do not border Niger, were semi independent elements of French West Africa. Within the colonial administration, borders were frequently changed, with Niger colony once possessing large portions of what is now Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as much of northern Chad, later associated with French Equatorial Africa. Disputes between these post-independence nations have been minor and peaceful.
Le Colonel Saye Zerbo, .... chef de l'Etat, a reçu le 30 juin dernier les lettres de créance de six nouveaux ambassadeurs accrédités par lears pays respectifs auprès du gouverment voltaïque. Il s'agit des ambassadeurs ... du Niger M. Magaji Gourouza ...
13 Février 1974 M. Ibrahim Loutou , ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire de la République du Niger a présenté au Chef de l'État , El Hadj Ahmadou Ahidjo , ses lettres de creance ...
COFFI Pierre C. Ivoire Ambassadeur des Etats du Conseil de l'Entente au Libéria et en Sierra- Leone ( 1961-1969 ) ;
M. Touré Hangadoumbou, délégué permanent du Mali auprès du Niger, a présenté ses lettres de créance au Président Diori Hamani
MAURITANIE ... Premier ambassadeur au Niger : M. Ahmed Ould Dié
Nuevas Relaciones Diplomaticas.- De conformidad con el propósito de ampliar nuestra acción diplomática en el mundo, hemos establecido relaciones con otros dos Estados africanos, el Niger y el Alto Volta (noviembre de 1965 y marzo de 1966)
COFFI Pierre C. Ivoire Ambassadeur des Etats du Conseil de l'Entente au Libéria et en Sierra- Leone ( 1961-1969 ) ;
... 13 septembre ETABLISSEMENT DE RELATIONS DIPLOMATIQUES , au rang d'ambassade , avec la Tanzanie et le Niger ( Ba'th , 14 septembre )
M. Dia Salifou, délégué permanent du Niger au Dahomey, est également accrédité auprès du Togo