On July 26, 2023, the military seized power in Niger Republic and ousted its democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The ill-reputed coup d’état, which many see as an affront against democracy, was championed by Bazoum’s presidential guard commander, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Tchiani proclaimed himself head of the military junta; but his action has received wide condemnation from western powers and their allies from the West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
Howbeit, many Nigeriens celebrated the move as a liberation from France’s neocolonial overreach and control of their resources, particularly uranium, since after independence in 1960.
As a sovereign nation whose affairs remain its own responsibilities, Niger’s coup should have been construed as its internal affair, but the West African country is a member of ECOWAS and its democracy deserves the protection of member states.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who emerged Chairman of ECOWAS on July 9, 2023, had on the heels of Bazoum’s ouster, warned that ECOWAS will not tolerate another coup in the region after successive incidents in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Consequently, on August 10, at a regional meeting in Abuja, ECOWAS Heads of States led by Tinubu voted to use force to dislodge the junta in Niger if it remains adamant, noting that “all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS, in resolving the crisis have been defiantly repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger.”
After the meeting, the leaders, in a communique read by ECOWAS President Omar Touray, directed “the Committee of the Chief of defence staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.”
It is our stand that given the precarious nature of the security situation in West Africa and the Sahel Region, the “use of force” should not have been contemplated or discussed as an alternative approach to the crisis; it should not have been put on the table even as the last resort.
Tensions brewing in the aftermath of ECOWAS pronouncement are testaments to the prospects of an escalation into a full-blown regional conflict if the mistake of confronting the junta in a battle is carried out.
Africa is soiled in a history of sit tight leaders and politicians who gain power through fraudulent and backdoor means. But diplomatic solution has remained a workable approach to resolving leadership crises in volatile African countries.
That ECOWAS leaders ditched diplomacy as the first and only resort raises concerns over their preferences- to appear strong in the eyes of the world by going to war or weak by peacefully resolving the stand-off.
From all readings, ECOWAS’ move is a face-saving one, which appears deftly, not only to protect democracy, but one of their own, Bazoum, after abysmal fairing at governance and his removal. While part of the duty of protecting democracy is by ensuring that only elected officials occupy leadership positions, there is also the need for assurance of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections; as well as good governance to make it attractive to citizens.
Wild celebrations of citizens after the military takeover in Niger did not speak well of previous administrations in that country.
France’s refusal to deploy forces to return the country to democratic rule, despite its huge national interest therein, aligns with respect for Niger’s sovereignty, a position that should be adopted by all countries involved.
Across the world, foreign policies are shaped by national interests. Diplomatic relations are based on mutual interests and what is in it for a nation is what drives its policies.
We, therefore, maintain that Nigeria has nothing to gain from a crisis-ridden Niger Republic except its own instability and humanitarian crisis.
It is equally wrong to play the ill-reputed role of a proxy for the protection of foreign interests, while the country’s interest is trampled under the whims of diplomatic cooperation. Against this backdrop, the country must measure or weigh its interests and ensure they are maintained in the light of regional, continental or global partnerships. Where Nigeria’s interest is at risk, it reserves the right to review such cooperation.
