Niger’s military government has officially declared Hausa as the country’s new national language, marking a significant shift away from its colonial legacy. The decision was announced in a charter released on March 31, which also lists nine other local languages as “spoken languages of Niger.”
Hausa is the most widely spoken language in Niger, with approximately 26 million people understanding and speaking it. In contrast, only about 13% of the population, or three million people, speak French.
The move is part of a broader effort by Niger’s military government to distance itself from France, its former colonial power. Since taking over in a coup in July 2023, the junta has been cutting ties with France, including expelling French troops, ending diplomatic relations, and renaming infrastructure with French associations.
The decision to adopt Hausa as the national language follows a national meeting held in February, where the military government received support and General Abdourahamane Tiani, the junta leader, was given approval to stay in power for five more years.
The move is seen as a significant step towards decolonization and a reassertion of Niger’s cultural identity. It also reflects a growing trend in the region, with neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso also taking steps to distance themselves from France.
The new charter lists English and French as the country’s working languages, but Hausa will now be the national language. The move is expected to have significant implications for the country’s language policies and cultural identity.
In a statement, the government said the decision was made to promote national unity and cultural heritage. The move is seen as a major shift in the country’s language policies and a significant step towards a more inclusive and diverse cultural identity.
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