On July 26th, 2023, a political earthquake shook the Republic of Niger. A coup, perpetrated by sects of its military, ousted the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum, dissolved the constitution, and seized power in Niger. This was met with harsh condemnations by human rights groups, the United States, and the United Nations.
A Fragile Democracy’s Continuous Backsliding:
Niger, a sub-Saharan African nation centered in the middle of the Sahel, is one of the poorest countries in the world. With a human development index score of 0.4, it
ranks 189 out of the 191 countries participating and has more than 40% of its population living in extreme poverty.
In Niger, there have been five coups in the last five decades, making the nation’s successful democratic election in 2021 surprising to some and hopeful to many.
Those responsible for the coup claim they came to power to prevent Niger from further democratic backsliding. A spokesperson has claimed, “This [coup] follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management.”
The coup has had the opposite effects of what those responsible have claimed: poverty has only grown even more rapidly under the military junta. Western powers have frozen international aid as the coup has increased authoritarian practices. All of this aid has been put to a grinding halt as the new military regime has taken hold of Niger and looks to further escalate the ongoing poverty crisis.
The Strategic Significance of the Sahel:
Niger holds over a thousand U.S. soldiers and multiple military bases and is a staunch U.S. ally in the region. "Niger has been an incredible security partner on the continent, and so we will continue to pay close attention to this," says a State Department spokesperson in response to the coup.
A western-aligned Niger is critical to U.S. interests in the region as its neighbors of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Sudan all have Russian-aligned military juntas in power. So a democratic Niger was held as a counterbalance in the region.
These continuous coups are a glaring sign that United States foreign policy has been in a constant downward spiral throughout West Africa. Without a strong presence in the region, organizations like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, or other Islamic militants could take hold of power and directly threaten the United States.
International Influence Throughout West Africa:
The United States is not the only shark circling the Sahel; Russia and China can smell the blood in the water and are ready to bite.
Russian influence in Niger and West Africa has primarily concentrated on defense, security coordination, and business alliances. Russia has security cooperation, military training, and arms sales agreements with several nations in the area, including Niger. These activities have often been framed as counterterrorism efforts and have helped Russia establish relationships with local governments.
In comparison, China's impact in Niger and West Africa has been primarily financial. China has locked in framework improvement ventures, asset extraction, and ventures within the locale. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's enormous framework and exchange improvement program, has driven to expand Chinese engagement in West Africa, counting Niger. China has contributed to regions such as mining, vitality, broadcast communications, and transportation.
These foreign influences directly threaten U.S. interests and will be a substantial difficulty to further Western domination.
Looking into the Future:
After the recent coup d'état in Niger, the country is at a critical moment that will shape the political trajectory in the coming years. The international community is closely watching Niger's citizens and leaders face the challenges of restoring democratic governance and ensuring stability.
The future path will require concerted efforts to bridge divisions, engage in inclusive dialogue and establish a transparent and accountable government. Despite the uncertainty looming, the resilience of the Nigerien people and their commitment to democratic ideals offer hope that, through collective determination, the nation can navigate these turbulent waters and emerge with a stronger and more resilient political landscape.
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