Niger - Revision history

Admin1: /* Republic of Niger */

2025-12-28T23:06:32Z

Republic of Niger

Admin1 at 20:55, 28 December 2025

2025-12-28T20:55:29Z

Admin1: /* Camouflage Patterns of Niger */

2025-12-28T20:47:20Z

Camouflage Patterns of Niger

Admin1: /* Camouflage Patterns of Niger */

2025-12-28T18:32:39Z

Camouflage Patterns of Niger

Admin1: /* Camouflage Patterns of Niger */

2025-12-28T18:17:26Z

Camouflage Patterns of Niger

Admin1: /* Camouflage Patterns of Niger */

2025-12-28T18:13:06Z

Camouflage Patterns of Niger

Admin1 at 21:17, 8 October 2025

2025-10-08T21:17:30Z

Admin1 at 22:14, 8 August 2025

2025-08-08T22:14:09Z

Admin1 at 13:35, 10 August 2023

2023-08-10T13:35:02Z

Admin1 at 16:26, 6 August 2023

2023-08-06T16:26:02Z

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 Much of the area of the present day Republic of Niger ''(République du Niger)'' was incorporated into the Songhai Empire from 1340 to 1591 CE, at one time a vassal state of the Mali Empire. When Songhair collapsed, the Dendi Kingdom arose out of its ashes, incorporating much of present day Niger into its domain over the course of its relatively unstable existence. By 1901, the region had officially come under control of [[France]], which administered the new territory of Niger (named after the river) through its governor in Dakar, [[Senegal]]. The country became an autonomous state within the French Community in 1958, and two years later was granted full independence.
-During the first years of independence, Niger was governed by a single-party regime, but corruption and mismanagement brought about a military coup d'etat in 1974 which continued to govern the nation until 1990. A transitional government was established in 1991, but political rivalry prevented a permanent democratic administration from making any progress, and in 1995 the government was again overthrown by the military under the leadership of Col. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara. Colonel Baré reputedly engineered his own victory in a "democratic" election, and assumed the presidency until 1999, when he was killed in a coup led by Maj. Daouda Malam Wanké. A new constitution was drafted in 1999, and for the first time Niger held truly democratic elections resulting in the election of Mamadou Tandja. However, in February 2010 another coup d'etat wrested power from Tandja when he was accused of extending his political term through constitutional manipulation.
+During its first years of independence, Niger was governed by a single-party regime, but corruption and mismanagement brought about a military coup d'etat in 1974 which continued to control the nation until 1990. A transitional government was established in 1991, although political rivalry prevented a permanent democratic administration from making any progress, and in 1995 the government was again overthrown by the military under the leadership of Col. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara. Colonel Baré reputedly engineered his own victory in a "democratic" election, and assumed the presidency until 1999, but was later killed in a coup led by Maj. Daouda Malam Wanké. A new constitution was drafted in 1999, and for the first time Niger held truly democratic elections resulting in the election of Mamadou Tandja. However, in February 2010 another coup d'etat wrested power from Tandja after he was accused of extending his political term through constitutional manipulation.
-The ''Forces Armées Nigeriennes'' (FAN) are the armed forces of Niger, consisting of the Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie and a Republican Guard with approximately 12,000 active duty personnel. The only major military operation in the modern era has been a counter-insurgency campaign against ethnic Tuareg that began in 1985 and led to the organization of two primary rebel organizations in 1990, the Front for the Liberation of Aïr and Azaouak (FLAA) and the Front for the Liberation of Tamoust (FLT). Peace accords were finally signed in 1995, ending most of the fighting, but a second Tuareg rebellion instigated by the ''Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice'' (MNJ) began in 2008.
+The Tuareg people are an ethnic Berber minority in much of Saharan Africa, and have historically expressed discontent at being governed by ethnic groups that did not have their best interests in mind. Several full-scale revolts have taken place in Niger, the first in 1914 (Kaocen Revolt), followed several decades later by the Second Tuareg rebellion in 1990. Sparked by the torture and execution of several hundred Tuareg civilians, two insurgent groups were formed to wage a campaign of independence against the Nigerien goverment: the ''Front de Liberation de l'Air et de l'Azaouak'' (FLAA) and the ''Front de Libération Tamoust'' (FLT). In April 1995, the government signed a peace agreement, integrating many of the former insurgents into the FAN. However, in 2007 a new outbreak of violence in the north, led by the ''Mouvement des Nigériens pour la justice,'' resulted in two more years of war, with another ceasefire signed in 2009.
 In 1991 the FAN sent a small 400-man military contingent to join American-led allied forces during the Persian Gulf War. The Armed Forces have also participated in a number of peacekeeping missions, including those with ECOMOG (Liberia and Guinée-Bissau), the African Union (Burundi - MIOB, Comoros - MIOC), and the United Nations (Saudi Arabia - Iraq War, Rwanda - MINURCA, Democratic Republic of Congo - MONUC).

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 [[File:niger-tricolor.png|200px]]
-* The FAN began wearing a copy of the [[France|French]] CE woodland pattern around 2006-2007 and it is still being worn by some elements of the Army.
+* The FAN began wearing a copy of the [[France|French]] CE woodland pattern around 2006-2007 and it remained in service, primarily with the Army and Air Force, until 2022.
 [[File:gabon2.jpg|200px]]

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 [[File:niger-woodland1.png|200px]]
-* Also in service since the late 1990s have been copies of the US tricolor desert pattern, in different uniform styles. This pattern can be found intermixed with both units of the Army and the ''Garde Nationale.''
+* First observed in use with Nigerien units in 1996, copies of the [[USA|tricolor desert]] camouflage pattern have been worn by various branches of service and in different uniform styles for several decades. This pattern has historically been intermixed with both units of the Army and the ''Garde Nationale,'' although it seems to be primarily worn by the GN in the 2020s.
 [[File:usa8.jpg|200px]]
 [[File:colombia7.jpg|200px]]
-* In the current era, it has become increasingly common to see personnel from Niger wearing a copy of the [[France|French]] CE woodland pattern, probably sourced in Asia.
+* The FAN began wearing a copy of the [[France|French]] CE woodland pattern around 2006-2007 and it is still being worn by some elements of the Army.
 [[File:gabon2.jpg|200px]]
-* Both Army units at home and United Nations peacekeepers from Niger have worn uniforms of the Chinese-made [[lizard]] pattern copy, worn throughout many parts of the Africa. As with the desert patterns, this design can be found intermixed with other designs such as the CE woodland. This design is also worn by the ''Gendarmerie National'' (GN).
+* Both Army units at home and United Nations peacekeepers from Niger have worn uniforms of the Chinese-made [[lizard]] pattern copy, worn throughout many parts of the Africa. It is not known precisely when this pattern was adopted, but probably well before 2010. As with the desert patterns, this design could historically be found intermixed with other designs such as the CE woodland, and is also worn by the ''Gendarmerie National'' (GN).
 [[File:cameroon3.jpg|200px]]
-* Units of the ''Garde Nationale'' also wear a copy of the French "Daguet" three-color desert camouflage pattern.
+* Primarily worn by the ''Garde Nationale,'' a copy of the French "Daguet" three-color desert camouflage pattern has been in use with the FAN since at least 2014.
 [[File:France7.jpg|200px]]
 * Introduced around 2010, the ''Garde Presidentielle'' adopted a unique lizard camouflage design incoporating fairly wide brushstrokes, with a color palette having medium brown, sea green, and sparse olive green stripes over a yellowish-sand background.

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 [[File:niger-ds.png|200px]]
-The [[chocolate chip]] desert pattern has continued to see service with Niger, but sourced from Asian providers so there are slight color variations from the original US produced fabric.
+A copy of US [[chocolate chip]] desert pattern was officially adopted into service with FAN in the late 1980s, but sourced from Asian manufacturers so there are slight color variations from the original US produced fabric. This camouflage design has continued to see use with the armed forces into the present era.
 [[File:china25.jpg|200px]]
-* In service with Niger since the 1990s have been various copies (as well as original, ex-USA surplus) of the m81 [[woodland]] camouflage pattern.
+* Also adopted into service in the late 1980s was the m81 [[woodland]] camouflage pattern. These may initially have been provided as aid by the [[USA|American government]] as some examples lack the shoulder straps typically found on uniforms in Africa.
 [[File:usa7.jpg|200px]]
 * Also in service since the late 1990s have been copies of the US tricolor desert pattern, in different uniform styles. This pattern can be found intermixed with both units of the Army and the ''Garde Nationale.''

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 == Camouflage Patterns of Niger ==
-* Certainly the oldest known camouflage pattern worn by military troops in Niger is the [[France|French]] ''tenue de leópard'' or [[lizard]] design. Various uniform styles have been worn over the years, from the TAP Mle 1947/56 and F1 to the present day BDU style, and presumably several variations of the pattern as well. Although largely replaced by more contemporary designs among operational personnel, the lizard design continues to see use in units such as the Color Guard.
+* The oldest documented camouflage pattern worn by military troops in Niger is the [[France|French]] ''tenue de leópard'' or [[lizard]] design, which appears to be a fairly late development. Photographs of Nigerien military personnel from the 1960s and 1970s all illustrate the use of solid-color combat uniforms, most of these olive drab. The earliest photographs of lizard pattern date to the late 1980s, and the use of this pattern was probably restricted to elite units such as the Parachute Battalion and/or units assigned to protect the president. Various uniform styles have been worn since that time, from the TAP Mle 1947/56 and F1 to the present day BDU style, and presumably several variations of the pattern as well. Although largely replaced by more contemporary designs among operational personnel, the lizard design continues to see use in units such as the Color Guard.
 [[File:mali1.jpg|200px]]

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 [[File:togo1.jpg|200px]]
 [[File:gabon1.jpg|200px]]
 * The contingent from Niger to the Persian Gulf War in 1991 were issued with the same six-color [[chocolate chip]] desert pattern uniforms as the [[USA|American]] troops. These personnel were also issued with the US M1 steel helmet and old "Mitchell" or "clouds" pattern camouflage helmet covers.
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 [[File:usa5.jpg|200px]]
 [[File:usa16.jpg|200px]]
 The [[chocolate chip]] desert pattern has continued to see service with Niger, but sourced from Asian providers so there are slight color variations from the original US produced fabric.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 8 October 2025
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	[[File:niger-douanes1.jpg\|200px]]		[[File:niger-douanes1.jpg\|200px]]
	[[File:niger-douanes2.jpg\|200px]]		[[File:niger-douanes2.jpg\|200px]]
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		+	* A formal announcement was issued at the end of 2022 that the Armed Forces would be adopted a completely new camouflage uniform beginning in January, 2023, to replace the previously issued copy of [[France\|French Centre Europe]] camo. Although the new pattern has a tendency to blend into a single shade of olive green at a distance, the design actually consists of many small irregular "cracks" or "crinkle" shapes in a dark shade of olive interspersed over a solid olive green background. Additionally the logo of the FAN has been embedded into the design, which is the only feature of the camouflage that actually stands out at a distance. Although January 2023 was given as the official date of replacement, many units have continued to wear their own distinctive camouflage design into the present era.
		+
		+	[[File:niger-crinkle.png\|200px]]

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 [[File:France7.jpg|200px]]
-* Introduced around 2010, the ''Garde Presidentielle'' wears a unique lizard camouflage design incoporating fairly wide brushstrokes, with a color palette similar to that originally adopted by [[Namibia]].
+* Introduced around 2010, the ''Garde Presidentielle'' adopted a unique lizard camouflage design incoporating fairly wide brushstrokes, with a color palette having medium brown, sea green, and sparse olive green stripes over a yellowish-sand background.
 [[File:niger-gplizard.jpg|200px]]

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 [[File:France7.jpg|200px]]
 * Customs Agents of the General Directorate of Customs ''( Direction Générale des Douanes)'' wear both [[woodland]] and [[DPM]] variant camouflage uniforms, apparently concurrently, since at least 2018.
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 [[File:niger-douanes1.jpg|200px]]
 [[File:niger-douanes2.jpg|200px]]