Time to change US policy toward Niger and its West African neighbors
Defense OneAug 02, 2023
The Facts
Niger's coup leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has agreed to hold direct talks and resolve a standoff with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), according to a group of Nigerian Islamic scholars Tchiani met with previously.
Niger's Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, confirmed that the General gave the green light for discussions with ECOWAS, adding that the talks will take place in the next few days. The Prime Minister made the announcement after meeting with Nigerian Islamic Scholars led by Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Niger has become the latest former French colony in West Africa to see the army seize control. Indeed, since 1990, a striking 78% of coups in sub-Saharan Africa have occurred in Francophone states, as French colonial rule established a political system designed to extract valuable resources while using repressive strategies to retain control. France has not moved away from this corrupt system — people have had enough of the pro-French elites who have ruled at the expense of the African citizens.
Pro-establishment narrative
The coup d'état in Niger must be ended and President Bazoum reinstated as the legitimate leader of the country. Bazoum was democratically elected in 2021 in Niger's first peaceful transfer of power. The region needs a democratic, stable Niger, meaning the American military base and 1,500 French troops stationed in the country must be maintained. The EU, France, and the US are rightly putting combined pressure on Tchiani to step down and hand over power to President Bazoum.
