Niger Coup – Tinderbox Waiting to Explode? ⋆ Conservative Firing Line

On July 26, a Coup in Niger grabbed headlines as their presidential guards took over the African nation. Niger (pronounced neeghair) is within the region of Africa known as the Sahel and was a key ally in the fight against radical Islamists. Up until the Niger Coup, it was considered the only relatively stable country in the Sahel region. The duly elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, called on the United States and other nations to move in to end the situation.

Niger is a large producer of Uranium…the key element for nuclear weapons.

“This coup, launched against my government by a faction in the military on July 26, has no justification whatsoever. If it succeeds, it will have devastating consequences for our country, our region and the entire world…Niger stands as the last bastion of respect for human rights amid the authoritarian movements that have overtaken some of our neighbors…Without US aid, the entire central Sahel region could fall to Russian influence.” Niger President Mohamed Bazoum

Screenshot of the Sahel region via BBC

ECOWAS demanded on July 30 that Bazoum be immediately released and restored to office with full restoration of Niger’s constitutional order. The 15-nation group said if that isn’t done within one week ECOWAS would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.”

A West African diplomatic mission Friday seeking Bazoum’s release and reinstatement failed, risking a military intervention by West African nations.

The Niger military coup leaders have indicated they would resist any military effort to end their coup. UPI

 The military junta, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, cut all bilateral military ties with France. It is unclear at this time what will happen to the US military bases in the country.  The Niger Coup was accomplished by President Bazoum’s own guards after a report that General Tchiani was about to be fired. Bazoum was democratically elected in 2021 – a first for the country.

The General withdrew Niger ambassadors from France, the US, Nigeria and Togo after advising them publicly that the need for those diplomats was “terminated.” Numerous citizens took to the streets in favor of the coup, some wearing Russian national colors. But other West African nations want the coup stopped and Bazoum restored to the Presidency.

The US Embassy was evacuated, but the Marine contingent was left in place, as were the US military bases in Niger. Any movement by the junta toward Russia could close those bases and place the approximately 1,100 US troops in a political nightmare. France has approximately 1,500 troops in Niger as well. The Wagner group has been active in Niger and the surrounding region. It’s a tinder box waiting to happen.

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