Niger’s transitional government has demoted French and declared Hausa the country’s national language. The move is set out in a new charter recently adopted by the West African nation, declaring French a ‘working language’.
Although Hausa is the most widely spoken language in Niger, French has had official status since the country’s independence from France in 1960. The new leadership in Niamey – which took power following a coup that deposed civilian President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023 – has sought to cut ties with Paris.
Late last month, the Sahel state adopted the Charter of Refoundation, which the government says will be executed as state law. The country’s November 2010 Constitution was suspended after the July 26 coup.
“The national language is Hausa… and the working languages are English and French,” Article 12 of the charter reads, published in Niger’s official journal, AFP reported on Tuesday.
According to the document, nine other languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fulfulde (Peul), Kanuri, Gourmantche, and Arabic, have been designated ‘spoken languages’ of Niger.
The transition charter, which first emerged from a national conference held in February, also extended the term of Niger’s interim president, Abdourahamane Tchiani, for five years.