NIAMEY, Niger: In an effort to address the escalating crisis resulting from Niger’s recent coup and the growing turmoil in the region, military chiefs from West African nations are scheduled to meet in Ghana today (Thursday).
This gathering aims to coordinate potential actions that could lead to the reversal of the coup in Niger. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), concerned about the series of coups in the region, has decided to establish a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger. The two-day meeting of high-ranking military officials comes against the backdrop of renewed violence in Niger, as insurgents carried out an ambush that claimed the lives of at least 17 soldiers. The attack took place in the Tillaberi region near Burkina Faso, leaving an additional 20 soldiers wounded, some of them seriously. This attack marked the most significant loss of life for the military since the July 26 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Sahel region of Africa has been grappling with militant insurgencies for over a decade, starting with the outbreak of violence in northern Mali in 2012. This unrest subsequently spread to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. The border region connecting these countries has become a hotbed of rebel activity, with groups affiliated with Daesh (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda carrying out attacks. The resulting instability has led to the deaths of numerous security personnel and civilians, and millions have been displaced from their homes.
The frustration and anguish caused by the ongoing bloodshed have contributed to a series of military coups in the region since 2020, with Niger being the latest victim. The elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was removed from power on July 26 by a group of generals who cited the deteriorating security situation as the reason for their intervention.
While some analysts suggest that forcibly removing the coup leaders could be fraught with military and political risks, ECOWAS has expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution. In response to the recent attack, ECOWAS released a statement condemning the violence and urging the military to reinstate constitutional order in Niger, allowing them to focus on security concerns that have become more pronounced since the attempted coup.
Negotiations have taken place in Addis Ababa this week between representatives from ECOWAS and Niger, under the auspices of the African Union. Additionally, the United States has announced that it will be sending a new ambassador to Niger to lead diplomatic efforts aimed at reversing the coup. Kathleen FitzGibbon, an experienced career diplomat with a deep understanding of African affairs, will head to Niamey despite the partial evacuation of non-emergency embassy staff.
In an attempt to maintain regional stability, Niger’s military-appointed civilian prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, embarked on an unannounced visit to Chad, a crucial nation in the volatile Sahel region. During this visit, Zeine met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, emphasizing the importance of neighbourly relations and reaffirming Niger’s commitment to its sovereignty.
Mohamed Bazoum’s election in 2021 marked a significant moment in Niger’s history, representing the nation’s first peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960. However, Bazoum faced two attempted coups before ultimately succumbing to the country’s fifth military takeover. In response to these events, ECOWAS implemented trade and financial sanctions, and France, Germany, and the United States suspended their aid programs. These measures, though intended to address the crisis, impact one of the world’s poorest countries, consistently ranking at the bottom of the UN’s Human Development Index.
The United Nations has also warned that the ongoing crisis could exacerbate food insecurity in Niger, further emphasizing the need for humanitarian exemptions to sanctions and border closures to avert a potential catastrophe. Niger is simultaneously grappling with a militant insurgency in its southeastern region, stemming from incursions by militants from Nigeria – the birthplace of the Boko Haram campaign that emerged in 2010.
