By Olakunle Agboola – According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report of 2023, Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. Some non-desert portions of the country undergo periodic drought and desertification. The economy is concentrated around subsistence agriculture, with some agriculture in the less arid south, and the export of raw materials, including uranium ore. Niger faces the challenges of desert terrain, low literacy rate, West exploitation and jihadist insurgencies.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been the center of immediate release and reinstatement” of Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum which has been held by the military since 19 July. There has been forceful intervention to restore constitutional order by ECOWAS as the head of Niger’s presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, declared himself as the head of state.
This coup d’etat has had a considerable effect and significant impact on peace and stability in Niger and the entire border region including West African countries. There has been a constant threat of coups in Niger by the military since independence and the coup attempt pointed to deep decadence in the country marred with corruption, insecurity and citizens living in abject poverty.
The current coup plotters mutinied against the rising insecurity and a lack of economic growth in the country which has plagued many citizens. The group of revolters think that intervention is necessary in the right direction to intervene in the sinking ship of the country and they feel that Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum is not in total control of solving the rise in insecurity and declining economic prospects.
It has been attested that Mr Bazoum has been a key ally of the West, allowing former colonial power France and the US to have a free day milking the natural resources of the country while citizens are wallowing in poverty making Niger one of the poorest nations of the world. Also, there have been several insurgent groups, such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic States affiliates, as well as Boko Haram which is becoming out of control even with US and France Military bases in the country. They have attacked innocent citizens, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements in the last decade.
This accounts for one of the major reasons why Mohamed Bazoum was displaced. It was reported of youth jubilation because of the July coup in Niamey, the capital city of Niger. Hundreds of youths were seen gathered in the capital city waving flags to celebrate the military supported by Russia and the private military contractor, Wagner group, hoping they will do a better job of fighting insurgents militating against the peace of Niger citizens.
The recent military coup in Niger is not in the absence of ethnicity which has been a major problem militating against African politics. During the election campaign, there has been a hot debate over the ethnicity and legitimacy of Bazoum becoming the president. He is perceived of a foreign origin coming from Niger’s ethnic Arab minority which did not sit well with the military circle, which is predominantly composed of the larger ethnic groups.
Bazoum is from the same party as former president Mahamadou Issoufou and about 56% of the vote accorded to him to become president is not enough to halt the military coup of July, which is deeply rooted in ethnicity. The depth of understanding of military composition in Niger as a country helped Issoufou complete two terms as president. It has been attested that key appointments in the military are made along ethnic lines and you must be smart to play the game if you are to win on a political chessboard of politics.
The failure of regional organizations such as ECOWAS and the African Union to take a firm stance against military power seizures in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali has continued to increase Military coups in the West African States. ECOWAS leaders have now threatened to use force to restore Bazoum if the coup plotters do not reinstate him. But ECOWAS leaders, most especially the new chairman, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have been warned against waging war in the wake of the coup in the Niger Republic.
The military juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso have vowed to come to the defence of Niger’s coup leaders if ECOWAS does use force, raising the prospect of a major regional conflict. Many are against a forceful fight of using the military to resolve conflicts in Niger but a deliberate effort of matured intervention of resolving issues. Prying eyes are now on President Tinubu who has been the most vocal in condemning coups in West Africa. Also, he has been ridiculed by many Nigerians for his swaying action to maintain democratic ethos in Niger but his failure of arresting the imminent problems combating Nigerian citizens.
A successful military takeover in Niger would be a major drawback for democracy in West Africa and Africa as a whole. It is a big lesson for the OAU, ECOWAS and African leaders in general that they need to do more under a democratic government and let the people or the citizens enjoy the dividend of democracy. Also is a need for African politicians to do away with their greed and selfish interest and let the citizens be at the centre of governance. Democratic government will have to do more to convince the citizens that democracy is the best form of government as Coup d’états or military coups will become unpopular in Africa.
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