This is notable. Niger was the last democracy in the Sahel region and it initially appeared that the army was vacillating on whether to endorse the presidential guard's blockade of President...
This is notable. Niger was the last democracy in the Sahel region and it initially appeared that the army was vacillating on whether to endorse the presidential guard's blockade of President Bazoum.
Bazoum is a relatively socially liberal politician who advertised his progressive positions on women's rights and education access in order to shore up western support, and is an outspoken proponent of French influence in the region. As recently as May he defended French involvement in the Sahel in an interview with the Financial Times. This tightrope allowed money to come in to fund Niger's armed forces, which meant that the country's security situation has been more stable than nearby Mali and Burkina Faso. But Bazoum's pro-western politics, and the fact that he comes from a minority ethnic group, are both reasons for other stakeholders in Niger to oppose him.
Notably, ECOWAS (the regional bloc) strongly condemns the coup. With pressure from ECOWAS, the EU, the US, and France (both of which have troops in Niger), it remains to be seen whether the coup will hold.
ECOWAS is now threatening to invade Niger if the coup plotters don't stand down by two weeks' time. The situation in Niger is pretty existential for the future of democracy in the region....
ECOWAS is now threatening to invade Niger if the coup plotters don't stand down by two weeks' time. The situation in Niger is pretty existential for the future of democracy in the region. Interestingly, Nigeria's new president Bola Tinubu is the one really spearheading the strong stance of ECOWAS on this issue, despite Nigeria's internal security problems.
This is notable. Niger was the last democracy in the Sahel region and it initially appeared that the army was vacillating on whether to endorse the presidential guard's blockade of President Bazoum.
Bazoum is a relatively socially liberal politician who advertised his progressive positions on women's rights and education access in order to shore up western support, and is an outspoken proponent of French influence in the region. As recently as May he defended French involvement in the Sahel in an interview with the Financial Times. This tightrope allowed money to come in to fund Niger's armed forces, which meant that the country's security situation has been more stable than nearby Mali and Burkina Faso. But Bazoum's pro-western politics, and the fact that he comes from a minority ethnic group, are both reasons for other stakeholders in Niger to oppose him.
Notably, ECOWAS (the regional bloc) strongly condemns the coup. With pressure from ECOWAS, the EU, the US, and France (both of which have troops in Niger), it remains to be seen whether the coup will hold.
ECOWAS is now threatening to invade Niger if the coup plotters don't stand down by two weeks' time. The situation in Niger is pretty existential for the future of democracy in the region. Interestingly, Nigeria's new president Bola Tinubu is the one really spearheading the strong stance of ECOWAS on this issue, despite Nigeria's internal security problems.
The army is also split on the choice of military junta president. With internal divisions, plus civil society and foreign pressure, I expect there to be another coup soon and/or external intervention.