As troops proclaim a coup attempt on national television, the landlocked nation of Niger in the center of West Africa is once again battling the specter of political unrest.
A group of soldiers appeared on Niger’s national television late on Wednesday, and announced that they have removed Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoumt from power after detaining him in the presidential palace. The unfolding events have drawn global condemnation and raised concerns about the region’s security and stability. President Mohamed Bazoum, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist extremism, has been held captive by the soldiers, who claim they are acting in response to a deteriorating security situation and poor governance.
Reading from a statement broadcasted on national television, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, seated and flanked by nine other officers, said defense and security forces had decided: “Put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”
The head of a regional political and security organization is alleged to have been behind the apparent coup.
What has exactly happened?
The military coup is the ninth to occur in the region of West and Central Africa since 2020. When Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane and a few other troops brazenly proclaimed the end of President Bazoum’s rule on national television, the fragile calm in Niger was gone. The troops shut down the borders, suspended all government institutions, and imposed a curfew that would continue till further instruction due to the nation’s deteriorating security situation.
According to Major Abdramane, the soldiers were representing the CNSP, or National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland. The soldiers promised to respect Bazoum’s well-being while admonishing against any outside meddling. Military vehicles have shut off the palace and the ministries next to it. Bazoum has shown a reluctance to comply with the demands of the plotters and surrender control.
Although the cause of the uprising is yet unknown, observers claim that it may have been motivated by growing living expenses as well as views of government inefficiency and corruption. Ulf Leassing, an analyst with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said that while Niger has appeared to be stable due to the influx of aid, this is always “a bit of an illusion”.
“The state is very weak, it’s very poor, and it doesn’t take much to overthrow a president in Niger.”
Niger’s fragile political landscape
Niger, a nation born out of colonialism, has struggled with political instability since gaining independence in 1960. Four coups and countless unsuccessful attempts to grab control have occurred in the nation, producing an unstable environment that has impeded progress and development. The nation confronts difficulties in developing prosperity, as seen by its low placement on the UN’s human development index. It has a population of 22.4 million, which is increasing due to a birthrate of seven children on average for every woman.
Islamist insurgencies are becoming more prevalent, which makes Niger’s problems worse. Two Islamist insurgencies are plaguing Niger: one in the south-west that originated in Mali in 2015 and the other in the south-east that is being led by jihadists headquartered in northeastern Nigeria. Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated militant groups have made the issue worse and severely jeopardized the security and stability of the nation.
Western allies and geopolitical implications
Niger’s strategic position in the Sahel region has made it a pivotal partner for Western nations seeking to combat the spread of jihadist insurgency. Due to President Bazoum’s close links to France and other Western nations, Niger’s security forces have received significant international help. Additionally, the country has been a crucial ally in helping the European Union control irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa.
However, the failed coup and the escalating hostility between France and the new military leaders in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have made situation difficult for the West too. Concerns regarding the impact of outside actors have increased as a result of the engagement of heavily armed Russian Wagner mercenaries in Mali.
Economic and social challenges with democratic concerns
Along with serious economic and social difficulties, Niger is also plagued by security issues. The country struggles with problems like food insecurity, poverty, and a lack of infrastructure despite having desert covering two-thirds of its land area. Rapid population expansion brought on by a high birth rate has put a pressure on already scarce resources and made it even harder to deal with these urgent problems. In order for Niger to attain long-term peace and development, these obstacles must be overcome.
The numerous coup attempts in Niger and its neighboring nations highlight how precarious democratic rule is in the area. It is crucial for Niger and its allies to restore constitutional order in order to protect the democratic system and stop additional political unrest. In order to mediate between the warring factions and find a peaceful solution, analysts say that regional organizations like ECOWAS and the African Union must play a crucial role. Yet, Niger seems to be in deep waters with latest turmoil.
International reactions on the coup announcement
The world community swiftly condemned the coup attempt. The UN and the African Union condemned the coup and urged moderation, putting special emphasis on the necessity of preserving the rule of law. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he “strongly condemns… the unconstitutional change of government in Niger” and called for “an immediate end to all actions undermining democratic principles in Niger.”
In a statement, Guterres stated that he was “deeply disturbed by the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and is concerned for his safety and well-being.”
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said that there had been a “attempt to seize power by force” in the West African country.
“ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition,” the bloc added.
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the partnership between Washington and the West African country is contingent on its “continued commitment to democratic standards.”
France viewed the current situation as an effort to seize power. “(France) strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force and joins the calls of the African Union and ECOWAS to restore the integrity of Nigerien democratic institutions,” Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.
To conclude, Niger’s latest coup attempt has once again thrown the nation into turmoil, highlighting the gravity of its security challenges, political instability, and economic hardships.
