France Demands Release of Citizen Detained in Niger

The arrest of Marius Bercea, accused of being a French intelligence agent, further strains Franco-Nigerien relations.

Marius Bercea, a French national, was arrested in Niger on November 13, 2024, during a mission with his company.
Nigerien state media has labeled Bercea as an agent of the French external intelligence agency, DGSE.
The French government is actively working to secure Bercea's release, though details of the arrest remain undisclosed.
Diplomatic relations between France and Niger have been severely strained since a military coup in July 2023.
France has faced accusations from Niger's military regime of attempting to destabilize the country, claims that Paris denies.