A video is being used to falsely claim the French Embassy in Niger has been destroyed

Context

On July 26, 2023, the Nigerien military depose President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup. This event has gained significant international attention partly because Bazoum was one of the few pro-Western heads of state in the Sahel region. 

Numerous narratives concerning the coup have centered around French involvement in Niger. On June 28, the new military leaders accused France of searching “for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger.” A few days later, on August 1, France began evacuating its citizens from the country.

Against this backdrop, a video has been widely circulated on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). It shows a burning building, which appears to have been attacked by protesters. While the location shown is difficult to determine, social media users have claimed it is the French embassy in Niger’s capital Niamey. 

One such user, posting on X, commented, “Things are getting out of hand in #Niger republic. The Embassy of #FRANCE in #NIGER REPUBLIC attacked by Niger people. The anger against France in this country and how they have impoverished Africans is something of great concern. Though this type of attack is uncalled for.” This post was widely shared, garnering over 500 reposts and 400 likes.

While many social media users appear to believe that this video shows an attack on the French embassy, Logically Facts has determined this is not true.

In fact

Logically Facts searched for photographs of this building to determine whether this video was filmed at the French embassy. Noting that it did not resemble the site in the video, we searched for coverage of similar events within the region. 

On July 27, supporters of the coup attacked the headquarters of Niger’s former ruling party, the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism. Comparing photographs taken following this event, it is possible to conclude with certainty that this is the location shown. The party’s lion logo is visible at one point, and the building entrance, walls, layout of the compound, and other details all match.

The verdict

This video does not show the French embassy. It shows pro-coup protesters attacking the offices of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism on July 27. This claim has therefore been marked as false.