A Conversation with Niger’s Trade Union Leader on Anti-Imperialist Struggle

On July 23, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tchiani ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, who had enjoyed the support of France. The coup came after years of mounting popular frustration over French military intervention and the economic exploitation of the country's resources. General Tchiani’s takeover received significant public support from Nigeriens. In this interview, LatSouk Sène speaks with Ibrahim Hamadou, Secretary-General of the Free Trade Union of Niger Workers, about his organization, its anti-imperialist ideology, and its backing of the current military government.

IH: I’m delighted to meet you in person via this video conference. I am Comrade Ibrahim Hamadou, general secretary of the Free Trade Union of Niger Workers, which is a member of the Anti-Imperialist Coalition and a member of the International Federation of Education, which is itself affiliated with the WFTU, the World Federation of Trade Unions. So we are committed and determined to support anti-imperialism. I am in contact with all the anti-imperialist organizations in Niger. Regardless of which networks are involved in student activities, I’m also part of NGO networks that are truly committed, and we’re very grateful for the anti-imperialist struggle you’re waging.

LatSouk Sène (LS): Thank you, Ibrahim. Yes, the first one, but not the last. Could you tell us about the history of your organization?

Ibrahim Hamadou (IH): The Organization—the Free Trade Union Confederation of Niger—originated from the CTN (Confederation of Laborers of Niger). We were among the first unions affiliated with the CTN. However, due to internal misunderstandings within the organization structure, we were also affiliated with IE (Internationale de l’Education) at that time. In 2010, we established our own trade union federation, named the Union of Free Trade Unions of Niger. Since then, we have disaffiliated from the IE. We are now affiliated with the FISE (International Federation of Education Unions), which is supported by the World Federation of Trade Unions—an organization whose ideology is rooted in the anti-imperialist struggle. This has been a great source of inspiration for me. I was re-elected at the congress in India, following my performance at the Mexico City Congress, where I served as the English French international interpreter. It was because of that work that I was reappointed to the FISE Executive Board. In 2025, in Rabat, I was re-elected once again to the FISE International Executive Committee, this time as Secretary-General representing Africa.

LS: Very well. And you mentioned that your organization has an anti-imperialist ideology. Could you tell me a bit more about that ideology? How do you conceive of the anti-imperialist struggle?

IH: This anti-imperialist struggle has been reinforced throughout all the interventions of the FSN. We have made anti-imperialist declarations on October 25, on March 8, on May 1—on every historic date, month after month, year after year—we have delivered these statements to demonstrate our anti-imperialist ideology. And during the coup, just after 2023, we met with the military and told them that they are the ones supporting us. In the name of the WFTU (World Federation of Trade Unions), whose ideology is to fight against imperialism, neocolonialism, colonialism, and capitalism, we told them that they had arrived at just the right moment, because they would strengthen the struggle. That is why we stood united behind our military.

Most recently, when we went to the Congress of the Workers' Force in Venezuela, we said that Venezuela would do the same thing as Niger. Within the AES (Alliance of Sahel States), the entire people are united behind our military. So this constitution has come at the right time, and Africa must start from there so that the work of Kwame Nkrumah, the work of Gaddafi, and the ideology of Sékou Touré become a reality from this moment onward, through the Sahel alliances.

That is why, whatever the current circumstances we are facing, we are committed and determined to support our military until total success is achieved.

We are currently working toward establishing a common bank, which has already been created, and we are looking to move from the Alliance of Sahel States to a confederation of the three states. We truly want to federate until that becomes a reality, so that the circumstances of the peoples in all three countries are the same. And ultimately, we want the whole of Africa to be united. Strength lies in unity. As for the leaders who are engaged in doing the work of the imperialists—those who are considered accomplices—we can see, with real Pan-Africanism, that with your structures we will be supported in achieving this historic event: African unity.

Most recently, we brought together several African countries in the name of the African Trade Union, which was born in Rabat, Morocco. The second meeting took place in Senegal. The third was held just recently, from April 13 to 16, in Niamey. So we are carrying forward this struggle to make anti-imperialism a reality, and to ensure that Africa develops through its own strength.

LS: Can you tell us about the changes that have taken place in trade unionism with the formation of the AES, as well as with the new authorities in Niger?

IH: At the government level, we are committed and determined to provide our support. No human endeavor is ever perfect or entirely sound. We are doing everything we can to achieve our objectives. However, in some organizations, trade unions are not represented, and we have brought this to the attention of the military authorities. They took note and told us they would correct the situation.

For example, at the CCR (Conseil Consultatif de la République), trade unionists are not represented. We also raised the same issue with the Director General of Labour, emphasizing that trade union freedom in Niger must be upheld. We told him that the Director General of Labour should serve as our bridge to enforce the international conventions signed by the three countries, so that all three states can be on the same track—and so that the visit of the federal director can be fruitful, enabling us to take action on the trade union front.

This issue of trade union freedom has caused some structures within the confederations to develop cracks, and that is not at all good for trade unionism. Some unions have been dissolved, even though Convention 187 of the [ILO], signed by Niger, does not allow for such automatic dissolution in a militant manner. Regarding the various recommendations we submitted to the Director General of the ILO, he took note and clearly stated that he would try to lobby to ensure that the conventions signed by Niger are respected. So, generally speaking, we are committed and determined to carry on the struggle alongside the military.

LS: You have told us a little about your collaboration with other countries in the West African region. Do you also work with others that are similarly engaged, such as Venezuela or Cuba? What importance do you place on internationalism, and especially on South-South solidarity, in your anti-imperialist struggle?

IH: Yes, this South-South solidarity is very important. We have been able to establish this bilateral cooperation between us. For example, we have signed an international convention with one of the trade union centers in Russia, as well as during the visit to the Congress of Venezuela—of the Workers’ Force. We have also signed with Argentina, and we have verbally established cooperation with Venezuela through their workers’ confederation, which invited us. We also have ties with the CTC of Cuba (Central de Trabajadores de Cuba) , and there are structures in Mexico. There are also structures in other Latin American countries that we are currently in discussions with, to see how we can bring together the different structures at the level of education and health. We have even begun working with our comrades in Venezuela to create a platform for awareness campaigns, both virtually and physically. And we are currently developing an action plan to ensure that we, as workers, can benefit from it.

LS: Excellent. So how do you currently see the anti-imperialist struggle at a time when there is a geopolitical shift in the world order?

IH: Yes, we are saying that victory is ours. That it is not easy. That with resistance, with commitment, with determination, we are seeing that anti-imperialism will triumph. It is not easy, and the path is very rocky. It is not easy to traverse. But with the same resistance, the same mindset, the same assiduity, the same strength, the same determination, the same anti-imperialist commitment, we will prevail—because we are united.

What has impressed me about Cuba—and I have been to Cuba more than five times—is that they have a single trade union center where all structures come together, presenting a united front and a collective movement. There is an embargo, more than 64 years old, but if you see how the Cuban people continue to resist, we can say that it is a success. And together, we must all give our best.

That is why we have asked our partners to provide us with funds so that we can put together small care packages—to show that this truly comes from [our organization]. This support is thanks to the various coalitions, which have allowed us to come to Cuba to celebrate with you, and with this modest contribution, we will represent on the global stage.

Cuba is not alone. Venezuela is not alone. The Palestinian people are not alone. Iran is not alone. All anti-imperialist countries are united, and we stand with them.

Ibrahim Hamadou is the general secretary of the Free Trade Union of Niger Workers, which is a member of the Anti-Imperialist Coalition. He is also a member of the International Federation of Education.

LatSouk Sène is a member of AISC.