On July 26, 2023, Niger experienced its fifth coup since its independence from France in 1960. The country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown in a coup orchestrated by Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former head of Bazoum’s presidential guard. Following the coup, Tchiani instituted a military junta to head Niger’s government as the President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.
Under Bazoum, Niger continued its longstanding struggle with militant insurgency around the country, in cooperation with military forces from countries such as France and the United States. The junta claims that the coup was motivated by the instability provided by the country’s continuing struggle with insurgency and resulting economic consequences. The finances needed to combat insurgency have stifled the economy and burdened the Nigerien populace, brewing discontent across the country.
Meanwhile, many Western countries and organizations have condemned the coup, insisting on a return to democracy. In a press release, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken condemned the coup, calling for the immediate restoration of the “legitimate, democratically-elected government.”
The coup has also hampered international cooperation in Niger’s counterinsurgency efforts. France ended over 100 years of official relations, removing its formal presence in Niger. France also withdrew its ambassadors and began removing all of their 1,500 soldiers from the country, with plans to completely withdraw its military presence by the end of 2023.
The coup in Niger has garnered a mixed reception within West Africa. Burkina Faso and Mali, two other West African countries also ruled by military juntas following coups, signed a security pact with Niger to create the Alliance of Sahel States. The alliance members agreed to defend one another against threats to any member state’s sovereignty.
However, Niger, alongside co-signatories Burkina Faso and Mali, has been suspended from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in light of the military coup. It has also been suspended from the African Union. ECOWAS has threatened to militarily intervene in Niger to restore “constitutional order.”
ECOWAS and various Western countries and organizations have also imposed a wide variety of sanctions and economic limitations against Niger, further pressuring the country’s economy. Niger ranked among the ten countries with the lowest GDP per capita worldwide. The political and economic circumstances have led to worsening conditions within the country, prompting food shortages and dwindling medicinal supplies.
The coup was met with protests and support in Niger. In September, tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated against French presence in the country as the military junta called for an end to French interference in Nigerien affairs. The junta met demonstrations immediately after taking over the government on July 26th and has been accused of suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations since.
Image by Jean Rebiffé from Flickr
