2023 Nigerien Coup D’état: On July 26, 2023, Niger experienced its fifth military coup d’état since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Nigerien Coup D’état: Who Led the Coup?
The coup involved the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the country’s presidential guard, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who proclaimed himself the leader of a new military junta. In response, the military closed the country’s borders, suspended state institutions, and imposed a curfew.
Niger’s history has been marked by political instability, with several coup attempts and successful military takeovers. The most recent attempt occurred in 2021 when military dissidents tried to seize the presidential palace just before Mohamed Bazoum’s inauguration as the country’s first democratically elected president to succeed another democratically elected predecessor.
The region has also witnessed coups in neighbouring countries, including Guinea, Mali, and Sudan in 2021, and Burkina Faso in 2022, leading to concerns about a “coup belt” in West Africa.
The coup in Niger was met with widespread condemnation from the international community and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. ECOWAS is considering military intervention in response to the crisis, and its chairman, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, warned against a series of coups in the region, vowing to take the matter seriously with the involvement of other international bodies.
Analysts believe that various factors contributed to the coup, including the rising cost of living, perceptions of government incompetence and corruption, and ongoing security challenges from jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and Boko Haram.
Niger’s poor ranking on the UN’s Human Development Index and its involvement in anti-jihadist operations as a key ally for Western countries like France, the United States, and Turkey have also shaped the dynamics in the region.
The coup has led to significant unrest within Niger, with pro-Bazoum demonstrations facing suppression by the presidential guard, resulting in injuries and civil disturbances.
The crisis has also triggered economic and political sanctions by ECOWAS and the international community, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Despite being detained, President Bazoum has not resigned and has communicated with world leaders to assert his legitimacy as the country’s elected leader. However, the military junta, led by General Tchiani, has declared its control over the country and suspended all political activities.
The international response to the coup has been mixed, with some countries and organizations condemning it and demanding a return to civilian rule. Others, like Russia’s private mercenary Wagner Group, have shown support for the coup, highlighting geopolitical interests and competition in the region.
As the crisis continues, there are concerns that Niger’s fight against Islamist insurgency could be affected, and there is a possibility of further destabilization in the region. The coup’s impact on ongoing development projects, such as the construction of a major oil pipeline, could also be significant.
The coup in Niger has sparked a serious political and security crisis in the country and drawn widespread international condemnation. The situation remains fluid, with the military junta asserting control and President Bazoum refusing to step down.
The potential for further instability and the impact on regional security and development projects make the crisis a matter of concern for the international community.
Efforts to resolve the crisis and restore civilian rule will be critical in addressing the challenges facing Niger and the broader West African region.
2023 Nigerien Coup D’état: Resources
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