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Niger Designates Hausa New Official Language, Moving Away From French Colonial Legacy
Niamey, Niger – In a significant move signaling a departure from its colonial past, Niger, the sixth-largest nation in Africa, has instituted Hausa as its official language. This decision effectively downgrades French, the language of its former colonial ruler, to a working language. The shift comes amidst a period of political instability and rising anti-colonial sentiments in the West African country.
Historical Context: French Colonial Rule and Independence
Niger and France share a lengthy and complex history, marked by French dominance that commenced in 1898 during the Scramble for Africa. This marked the beginning of over six decades of French colonial administration. Niger achieved independence in 1960; however, the nation’s post-colonial era has been characterized by political turmoil.
Political Instability and the Refoundation Charter
Since gaining independence, Niger has witnessed five coups and four periods of military governance. The most recent coup in 2023 resulted in the nation being governed once more by a military junta. In an effort to diminish colonial influence and forge a new national identity, the Refoundation Charter was recently adopted. This charter represents a fundamental transformation in Niger’s governance structure following months of uncertainty.
Language Shift and Withdrawal from Francophonie
French, previously a dominant language in Niger’s administration and education system, lost its official status in mid-March. This coincided with Niger, alongside fellow Alliance of Sahel States (AES) member Mali, withdrawing from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). The OIF functions as a collective of French-speaking nations, akin to the British Commonwealth, aimed at fostering cultural and linguistic connections among member states.
Niger’s Exit from OIF and Domestic Reforms
Niger formally resigned from the OIF on March 17, citing persistent external pressure and interference. The OIF had previously suspended Niger following the 2023 coup, advocating for a return to democratic rule and the release of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife, who remain under detention by the ruling junta. Further solidifying the junta’s authority, the Refoundation Charter officially designated General Abdourahamane Tiani as President of the Republic for a 60-month transitional period.
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Hausa Language: A Widely Spoken African Language
Hausa, belonging to the Chadic (Afroasiatic) language family, is primarily spoken by the Hausa people across northern Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and southern Niger and Chad. A smaller population of Hausa speakers also resides in Sudan. Estimates from Ethnologue indicate approximately 58 million native Hausa speakers, with an additional 36 million speaking it as a second language, totaling around 94 million speakers globally.
Broader Efforts to Reclaim National Identity
This linguistic shift is part of a broader initiative by Niger to sever ties with its colonial legacy. Earlier in January, Niger initiated the renaming of streets perceived to bear colonial-era names. Furthermore, in November, the government announced intentions to revise the narrative surrounding its colonial history, emphasizing the need to articulate Niger’s history from a national perspective.