Calm Prevails In Niger After Coup Turmoil

In Niger’s capital, Niamey, life appears to have regained a sense of calm following the turbulence that followed the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum just one month ago.

While an apparent calm prevails, tensions are steadily mounting. The possibility of Ecowas resorting to a military intervention to restore Bazoum to power looms large, prompting neighbouring countries Burkina Faso and Mali to emphasize their backing for the present ruling junta.

“To this end, they (Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali) agreed to set up a joint secretariat for security issues. They welcomed the signing by the President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Motherland, Brig. Gen. Abdurrahman Tchiani, of two orders on August 24, 2023, authorizing the defence and security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene in Nigerien territory in the event of aggression,” stated Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi, Deputy Secretary General of Niger Foreign Ministry.

In response, ECOWAS conveyed a message to the leaders of the Niger coup on Friday, urging them to reconsider their actions. While the West African regional alliance maintains the threat of a military intervention, it expresses a preference for a diplomatic resolution.

“Even now it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d’état,” shared Omar Alieu Touray, ECOWAS Commission President.

ECOWAS has declined the proposal put forth by Niger’s junta for a three-year transition leading to democratic governance, characterizing it as a “provocative” action.

Meanwhile, the leaders within the bloc are presently engaged in negotiations with the military administrations in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. These countries are all in the process of working towards transitioning to democratic forms of governance.