Seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020.
QUICK FACTS:
- The supporters of a recent coup in Niger have set fire to the ruling party’s headquarters.
- Police then used teargas against the coup participants.
- Meanwhile, crowds were playing pro-army music and waving Russian flags, also expressing anti-French sentiments, condemning the country’s influence in the Sahel area.
- France previously moved forces to Niger to aid in the fight against insurgency.
- The army supported the coup, with Air Force Col. Major Amadou Abdramane saying on a televised broadcast, “This is as a result of the continuing degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance.”
- Forces had “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance,” the colonel stated.
- The army noted that they are to “preserve the physical integrity” of the president and his family while the official is detained
- It is unknown who will take over for President Mohamed Bazoum.
- On Wednesday, President Bazoum tweeted, “The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it.”
- The president also said that the event is part of an “anti-republican” movement.
- Bazoum was a key figure in fighting against Islamic extremism in the region.
COUP STEMS FROM LEADERSHIP FAILURES:
- According to political analyst Mbodou Wakil, the coup stems from a leadership issue.
- Wakil explained that Niger is bringing in military forces from foreign countries that are “not able to fight against terrorism.”
- The country is also instigating conditions that are “helping the terrorists to come in.”
- These are reportedly the “real problems” that serve as the “motive of this new system of coup d’etat in Niger.”
- Citizens purport that insecurity has become an ongoing issue since Bazoum became president in 2021.
- Jihadist groups from Mali have gained ground since Bazoum’s election, killing thousands and displacing millions.
- “We hope the army coming to power will resolve the security crisis. Today terrorism has uprooted so many villages,” one citizen said, lamenting that “our children have become widows and our grandchildren orphans.”
BACKGROUND:
- The United States is watching the situation “very closely,” according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
- “The United States resolutely supports [Bazoum] as the democratically elected president, and we call for his immediate release,” Blinken said at a New Zealand news conference.
- “We condemn any efforts to seize power by force,” Blinken stated. “We’re actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully.”
