Commentary: Niger’s coup last month was the eighth military takeover in Africa since 2020. Most occurred in West African states, which have faced rising extremist violence for years. Niger was among them.
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, greets Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace, amid the New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris on June 23, 2023. France has suspended all development aid and budgetary support to Niger following a military coup against Bazoum, the French foreign ministry said on July 29, 2023.
Affiliates and offshoots of both al-Qaida and the Islamic State found fertile ground in impoverished and neglected communities in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. They’ve been met by armies supplied and strengthened by Western powers hoping to stem the tide of terrorism in the region.The United States and France were the primary partners, providing weapons, military education, combat training, intelligence and direct counterterrorism operations for more than a decade.
last year and looks set to keep increasing. In Burkina Faso and Mali, the military leaders who recently seized control claimed to be doing so to restore order, yet both countries have seen more violence since.But Niger was starting to peel away from the pack. In a dangerous region where conflict is on the rise and democracy on the backfoot, Niger was taking small steps the other way.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UN chief expresses concern over Niger leader's detention conditionsUN chief Antonio Guterres expresses concern over the 'deplorable' conditions of Niger leader Mohamed Bazoum's detainment, calls for his release
Read more »
Niger coup response mulled by African leaders amid concern over ousted president's 'deplorable' detentionThe leaders of a group of West African nations met Thursday for an emergency summit to decide on the bloc's next move as it grapples with how to handle the recent military coup in one of its own member states.
Read more »
Niger coup leaders announce new govt as ECOWAS summit discusses next stepsThe military leaders in Niger, who seized power in a coup last month, announce the formation of a new government, according to a decree read out on national television
Read more »
Western officials: Niger junta warned they'd kill deposed president after any military interventionThe regional ECOWAS bloc said it had directed the deployment of a 'standby force' to restore democracy in Niger after the coup. Officials gave no details about the makeup, location or proposed date of deployment for any military intervention force.
Read more »
Niger coup leaders reportedly threaten to kill presidentECOWAS has imposed harsh economic and travel sanctions, but analysts say it may be running out of options as support fades for intervention. The bloc has failed to stem past coups in the region: Ni…
Read more »