Niger | Business Upturn

ECOWAS chairman urges reconsideration of exit amid regional crisis

Aishi Saha — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 15:12:35 +0000

The chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, has called for a reconsideration of the decision by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to exit the regional bloc. Speaking at a meeting in Abuja, Tinubu stressed the importance of unity among member states and urged against viewing ECOWAS as an adversary. The recent political crisis in the region, exacerbated by military takeovers in these countries, has prompted discussions on reevaluating ECOWAS’ approach to restoring democracy and maintaining regional stability.

Notably, the Netherlands, a significant donor to Ukraine, may be considering easing sanctions on Niger, signaling a potential shift in strategy towards junta-led states. This move reflects a desire to persuade the three countries to remain within the alliance and reconsider their withdrawal. The prospect of their exit raises concerns about the disruption of regional integration efforts and trade flows, which are valued at nearly $150 billion annually. Already, the sanctions have had a tangible impact on Niger’s economy, leading to government spending cuts and debt defaults.

Meanwhile, the military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have sought to forge closer ties with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and explore the possibility of forming a confederation. This development underscores the uncertainty surrounding the future political, economic, and security relationships within the region. Despite objections from the affected countries regarding the legality of ECOWAS sanctions, efforts to facilitate a return to constitutional order remain ongoing.

The meeting in Abuja highlights the complexity of addressing political instability in West Africa and underscores the need for a coordinated regional approach. As ECOWAS considers potential adjustments to its strategy, there is a recognition of the challenges posed by military takeovers and the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement to safeguard democracy and stability.

Tinubu’s call for a reevaluation of current approaches reflects a broader recognition within the regional bloc of the need for adaptability and pragmatism in addressing evolving political dynamics. It emphasizes the imperative of finding effective solutions to the ongoing crisis while upholding the principles of democracy, governance, and respect for human rights in the West African region. In the face of shifting geopolitical realities, ECOWAS remains committed to promoting peace, stability, and development across its member states.

3 year power transition proposed by Niger’s coup leader

Dixita Hazarika — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 08:53:16 +0000

According to reports, a three-year transition of power has been proposed by Niger’s coup leader after meeting a delegation of West African leaders and had warned that any attack on the country would “not be a walk in the park” for those involved.

On Saturday, while speaking on national television, General Abdourahmane Tchiani gave no details on the potential transition but only said that the principles for the move would be decided within 30 days at a dialogue which will be hosted by the ruling military council.

After his first meeting with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegates in Niamey, the Nigerien capital, he said, “Neither the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland nor the people of Niger want war, and remain open to dialogue. But let us be clear: If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it will not be the walk in the park some people seem to think.”

Following the July 26 coup, ECOWAS has imposed severe sanctions on Niger and has ordered the deployment of a “standby force” to restore constitutional rule in the country. On Friday, the EU said that 11 of its 15 member states have agreed to send troops to the operation and that an undisclosed “D-Day” had been agreed for possible military intervention.

In the speech, Tchiani claimed that ECOWAS was “getting ready to attack Niger by setting up an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army” and denounced what he called “illegal” and “inhuman” sanctions imposed by the regional bloc.

ECOWAS took a tougher stance on the July 26 coup in Niger, the region’s seventh in three years, than previous coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

Despite the threat of military intervention, the bloc is also seeking diplomatic means to reverse Niger’s power grab, a country of strategic importance to regional and global nations for its uranium and oil reserves and its role as a hub for foreign forces that participated in the fight against al-Qaeda and ISIL-related armed groups (ISIS).

Niger: junta supporters claim France manipulating ECOWAS towards intervention

Adesh Dixit — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 16:03:31 +0000

Supporters of the Niger junta assert that France is pressuring ECOWAS to intervene.

In an effort to destabilize Niger, coup leaders in that country have accused French forces of releasing detained “terrorists” and violating a prohibition on using its airspace. France has categorically denied these accusations.

On July 26, soldiers from the nation’s presidential guard overthrew the government and detained President Mohammad Bazoum, sparking international outrage and the possibility of a military invasion by other West African countries. On Sunday, the Nigerien airspace was shut down by the coup leaders, who also forbade any outside intervention.

The West African group, ECOWAS, which on Thursday approved the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger, was referred to as “down with France, down with ECOWAS” by protesters.

On the outskirts of Niamey, the capital of Niger, thousands of supporters of the coup leaders gathered on Friday, according to AFP reporters.

Many shouted their support for the nation’s new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tiani, while waving the Russian and Niger flags.

“We’ll force the French to go! One protester, student union member Aziz Rabeh Ali, claimed that ECOWAS wasn’t independent and that France was manipulating it.

The United Nations, other West African nations, and Western nations have all denounced the action, notably France, a former colonial power and close ally of Bazoum.

On July 30, a hostile demonstration in front of the French embassy forced France to arrange for the voluntary evacuation of its citizens.

Around 1,500 French military forces are currently stationed in Niger to support the nation in its eight-year conflict with a brutal jihadist insurgency.

Many are stationed at the air base outside of Niamey, which is operated in conjunction with the military forces of Niger.

Leaders of Niger Military Junta accuse France of ignoring border closure

Avinash Ram — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 17:56:33 +0000

Despite President Mohamed Bazoum’s stubborn position and the world’s criticism of the coup, the Niger army has pledged its support to the defense and security forces that ousted him. Army Chief of Staff Abdou Sidikou Issa stated that the decision was required to “avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces” in a statement published on X, the website that was formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday.

Bazoum was taken into custody early on Wednesday by members of the Presidential Guard in the capital city of Niamey. A spokeswoman for a group calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, claimed in a statement that “the defence and security forces… have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with” in a statement that was later broadcast on national television. He continued, “This comes in response to the ongoing deterioration of the security situation, as well as the poor social and economic management.

The soldier declared that a nationwide curfew was in effect and that all external borders of the nation had been sealed. Abdramane stated that all national institutions had also been suspended. Nine more uniformed officers flanked him as he read out his statement while he was seated and reading. Following the army’s declaration of loyalty to the group on Thursday, the colonel made a public announcement on national television that all political party activities in Niger have been put on hold until further notice.

On Thursday, the mutineers claimed that France had defied their instructions to seal off the country’s frontiers by landing a military aircraft. In a statement, Abdramane demanded “once and for all that measures (taken by the coup plotters) be strictly upheld” and claimed that “the French partner bypassed (the decision) on closing land and air borders in order to land an A401-type military aircraft at Niamey international airport this morning at 6:30 am.”

🛑🛑🛑#COMMUNIQUE de l’Etat-Major des Armées. pic.twitter.com/X2nPIeq4ds

— Forces Armées Nigériennes (@ArmeesNiger) July 27, 2023

Issa’s declaration, which has been dubbed a “coup belt,” came after the President of Niger had on Wednesday issued a warning that the army was prepared to strike the rebellious presidential guards if they did not submit. The presidency claimed in a statement on platform X that the guards were participating in a “anti-Republican demonstration” and had tried “in vain” to enlist the assistance of other security services. The fifth successful coup to occur in West Africa since 2020 has drawn condemnation from all across the world. On Thursday, Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, pleaded with Bazoum’s kidnappers to free him “immediately and unconditionally.”

Concerns about democracy have been raised in what is sometimes referred to as the “coup belt” due to two coups each in Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as reported attempts in Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia. In March 2021, a military unit attempted to seize the presidential palace days before Bazoum, who had just been elected, was scheduled to be sworn in. This attempt at a coup was stopped.

France has been using Niger as the focal point for its operations against armed groups operating in the area. Niger has long been seen as an oasis of tranquillity in the Sahel. Burkina Faso and Mali, two former colonies of Paris, are at odds with one another and have turned to the Russian mercenary outfit Wagner for assistance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns military junta coup attempt in Niger

Adesh Dixit — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:49:42 +0000

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the apparent coup in the African nation of Niger and demanded those detaining country’s president Mohamed Bazoum to release him immediately and unconditionally.

Guterres in his tweet wrote:

I strongly condemn the unconstitutional change of government in Niger, announced on 26 July.

President Bazoum has been detained & I'm concerned for his safety & well-being.

Those involved in this deplorable act must release him with immediate effect & without any precondition.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 27, 2023

After hours of being detained by members of the presidential guard at the politician’s official mansion, soldiers in Niger claimed to have ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from office late on Wednesday.

Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane declared on national television that “the defence and security forces… have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with.”

The soldier said that a nationwide curfew was in effect and that the nation’s borders were closed. Additionally suspended were all national institutions, he said.

The declaration followed a day of ambiguity during which the Niger presidency claimed that members of the elite guard unit were participating in a “anti-Republican demonstration” and news organizations claimed that Bazoum was being held at the palace by the mutinous forces.

The United States demanded Bazoum’s release right away.

The moves against Bazoum were described as an attempt to unseat the politician earlier on Wednesday by commissions of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Bazoum was elected president of the country two years ago in the country’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.

The ECOWAS leadership, according to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was chosen last month to chair the commission, will rebuff any efforts to overthrow the government of Niger.

US President demands release of Niger President amid apparent coup attempt

Viditha Ganji — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:08:23 +0000

In a concerning turn of events, an attempted coup was underway in the Sahel state of Niger on Wednesday, as President Mohamed Bazoum was reportedly detained by members of his own Presidential Guard. The unfolding situation has drawn international attention, with the United States, United Nations, European Union, and the African Union voicing their condemnation of the apparent coup attempt.

According to a source close to President Bazoum, the Nigerien leader is currently being held by members of the Presidential Guard, who have been given an “ultimatum” by the army. The situation has sparked alarm both within Niger and among the global community, prompting swift reactions from major international actors.

In a statement, the White House expressed deep concern over the developments in Niger and called for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum. The detention of the democratically elected leader has raised serious questions about the stability and security in the region.

As the situation unfolds, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has stepped in to mediate. Benin President Patrice Talon is reportedly traveling to Niger to act as a mediator in the stand-off. The regional bloc aims to address the crisis and work towards a peaceful resolution.

The apparent coup attempt has sent shockwaves through Niger, a nation already facing security challenges in the volatile Sahel region. The international community’s united condemnation of the incident reflects the grave concern for the safety and stability of the West African nation.

President Mohamed Bazoum’s detention comes at a critical time when Niger is grappling with security threats from insurgent groups and experiencing significant political challenges. The unfolding events have put the nation’s political landscape under intense scrutiny, raising questions about the potential consequences for democracy and governance.

As developments continue to unfold, the world watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The fate of President Bazoum remains uncertain, and the global community calls for an end to the apparent coup attempt and the release of the democratically elected leader. The international actors’ collective response underscores the urgency and significance of the situation, as Niger’s stability and security hang in the balance.

Niger’s President held in presidential palace, signals possible military junta coup

Adesh Dixit — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:56:38 +0000

The presidential guards of Niger are keeping President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the nation’s capital. The army have shut off the Presidential residence and the nearby ministries.

The president of Niger has stated that some members of the national guard are attempting to turn against him and that if they do not desist, the army would launch an offensive.

The workers within the palace, according to a presidential official, did not have access to their offices. It was unclear right away if President Mohamed Bazoum was present.

She added that the president and his wife were inside his residence when the presidential guard arrived and that talks between the parties were in progress.

According to the official presidential Twitter account, the presidential guards participated in a “anti-Republican demonstration” on Wednesday and sought “in vain” to rally the assistance of the other security forces.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has elected Bola Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, to serve as its next chair. He has described the current scenario as “unpleasant developments” and has stated that he is already in “close consultation” with other regional leaders about it.

The ECOWAS leadership has stated that it “will not accept any action that obstructs the effective exercise of legitimate authority in Niger or any other part of West Africa.” In a statement, he said, “We will do everything in our ability to ensure that democracy is securely planted, nurtured, properly entrenched, and thrives in our region.

Although the exact cause of the uprising is still unknown, many believe that growing living expenses and attitudes about corruption and ineptitude in the administration may have spurred the mutinous soldiers to action.