Mali and Niger Announce Termination of Tax Agreements with France

In a significant move, the military governments of Mali and Niger have declared intentions to terminate longstanding tax agreements with France within three months. Citing France’s perceived unfriendly approach and the imbalanced nature of these pacts resulting in substantial revenue losses for both countries, this decision marks another step in the recent trend of severing ties with their former colonial power.

The tax pacts, in place since 1972 for Mali and 1965 for Niger, aimed to prevent double taxation for nationals living in both countries and facilitate collaboration in various financial matters. The annulment follows similar actions by Burkina Faso’s military government earlier this year.

Recent reports indicate the concerted efforts by these countries to assert their sovereignty and diminish Western influence since the military coups brought these administrations to power. The joint statement, shared on social media by Mali’s foreign ministry, highlighted France’s perceived antagonistic stance and the imbalanced nature of these agreements, contributing significantly to the decision.

These military governments have persistently advocated for self-governance, aiming to liberate their nations from historical Western influences. Additionally, discussions about forming a confederation involving Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, alongside initiatives for economic and monetary unification, exemplify their pursuit of regional unity and self-reliance.

The recent history of military coups in these nations, including Niger in July 2023, Burkina Faso’s incidents in January and September 2022, and Mali’s coup in August 2020, underscores the shifting dynamics in these West African countries, striving for autonomy and independence from prior colonial legacies.