Colonial Chains Broken? Niger Republic Officially Abandons French For Hausa Language

The military-led government of Niger Republic has intensified its efforts to cut ties with France by officially designating Hausa as the country’s new official language.

Historically, French served as the primary language in Niger. However, a significant shift was announced in a charter dated March 31 and published in a special edition of the government’s official gazette.

The document states: “The national language is Hausa,” while adding that “the working languages are English and French.”

Hausa is already widely spoken across Niger, especially in regions like Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua. Among the nation’s 26 million citizens, a vast majority are fluent in Hausa, while only around 3 million people—roughly 13 percent—can speak French.

In addition, the charter recognizes nine other indigenous languages—including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic—as “spoken languages of Niger.”

The decision also aligns with Niger’s recent exit from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), a body similar to the Commonwealth that promotes French-speaking countries.

In reaction to such moves, French President Emmanuel Macron in January lamented what he called a lack of gratitude from African leaders. “We had a relationship built on security cooperation since 2013. Someone forgot to say thank you,” Macron remarked.

He added: “Ungratefulness is a disease that cannot be transmitted, but I say this for all African leaders who lacked courage before public opinion. None of them would be sovereign today without French military intervention.”

Macron emphasized that French troops were deployed at the invitation of legitimate governments, but following multiple coups and shifting priorities, France saw no reason to stay.

It will be recalled that in December 2023, Niger formally expelled French military forces from its territory, marking a definitive end to its military partnership with France.