By President Mohamed Bazoum. Since then, the junta has severed ties with France, expelled French troops, and removed French names from public monuments.
Hausa, spoken by the majority of the population, particularly in regions like Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua, will now be the symbol of national identity. French, the colonial language, is only spoken by about 13% of Niger’s population, highlighting the shift towards greater cultural independence.
In addition to Hausa, the charter recognizes other languages like Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, reflecting the country’s linguistic diversity. These changes followed a national conference in February, where the junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, was given the mandate to remain in power for another five years.
Niger’s move to adopt Hausa and distance itself from France mirrors similar actions by neighboring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which also withdrew from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), a body promoting French language and culture.
The adoption of Hausa is seen as a significant step in asserting Niger’s national identity and reinforcing the junta’s authority in the face of international scrutiny.
