A deadly attack in Niger claims the lives of 17 soldiers, raising concerns of escalating jihadist activity following the recent overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. Supporters of the military junta face the dual threat of ECOWAS military intervention and internal extremism, as a new militia mobilizes to back the nation&#8217;s armed forces.



At least 17 soldiers from the Nigerien military were killed in an attack on Tuesday, potentially signaling an escalation in jihadist activity in a country that has long been considered a partner to the West in combating extremism in the Sahel region. This attack is the first of its kind since Niger&#8217;s democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown by a military junta in late July. The Nigerien junta stated that at least 100 attackers were killed in retaliation, although this claim could not be independently confirmed.



Supporters of the junta, condemned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), seem to have been motivated by the threat of military intervention by ECOWAS, as well as the internal extremist threat. Reports suggest the emergence of a new militia, the Volunteers for the Defense of Niger, which is recruiting volunteers to support the nation&#8217;s armed forces.



ECOWAS, which denounced the attack on the Nigerien security forces, continues to call for the restoration of democratic order. &#8220;ECOWAS calls on the CNSP-military leadership in Niger to restore constitutional order in order to focus on the security of the increasingly fragile country,&#8221; stated the body in a recent release.



Officials of the bloc also attended an African Union (AU) meeting on Monday in Addis Ababa to discuss the situation in Niger. The situation seems unlikely to resolve soon, given the mixed signals from many of the involved parties. The junta recently expressed openness to diplomatic discussions but seemed to reverse its stance last Sunday by announcing the intention to charge captive President Bazoum with high treason.



Both ECOWAS and the AU condemned the legal threat against Bazoum, but this incident appears to have stalled further talks. The newly appointed US Ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, is expected to arrive in the capital city of Niamey this week, which could potentially lead to diplomatic progress. However, as these efforts stall, the stability of the region remains precariously fractured.

Demonstration of coup supporters in Niger

17 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attack, Escalating Concerns Over Extremism

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



Niger’s military junta announced plans to charge ousted President Mohamed Bazoum with “high treason” and undermining national security, defying international pressure to release and reinstate the democratically elected leader and raising tensions in the region just hours after coup leaders signaled they were open to explore diplomatic solutions to the growing crisis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azXRQJp7eVQ&amp;ab_channel=GuardianNews" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/niger-coup-leaders-president-bazoum-treason-1e54fa565ec0c659fc233cc695d7de21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">delivered</a>&nbsp;on state television Sunday night, junta spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c8fae0de-6555-4022-8226-a529b6ff7a33" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vowed</a>&nbsp;to prosecute Bazoum “for high treason and for undermining the internal and external security of Niger.”



Abdramane said the military regime, which ousted and replaced Bazoum’s democratically elected government in July, had now gathered sufficient evidence to try the deposed leader alongside “local and foreign accomplices.”



The regime would do so before “competent national and international authorities,” Abdramane said.



The statement did not include details on the allegations leveled against Bazoum or provide specific details on who alleged conspirators may be, nor did it outline possible dates and venues for a trial.



If found guilty, Bazoum could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66496128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">face</a>&nbsp;the death penalty under Niger’s penal code.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



The public declaration to charge Bazoum with high treason is a major blow to international efforts to resolve the crisis in Niger diplomatically. It marks a rapid about turn from the junta, which has resisted global pressure to reinstate the ousted president—who has been imprisoned under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/11/niger-captive-leader-losing-weight-in-inhumane-conditions-daughter-reveals-mohamed-bazoum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">questionable</a>&nbsp;conditions since his own presidential guard turned on him last month—and had rebuffed diplomats until&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/niger-regime-leader-open-to-explore-diplomacy-625135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suggesting</a>&nbsp;it was open to possible negotiation on Sunday. The announcement also threatens to destabilize the entire region as the area’s key diplomatic bloc, the Nigeria-led Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has threatened military intervention to restore Niger’s democratically elected leader. This could spiral into all-out regional conflict as the group, which has already instigated stinging sanctions against Niger, could face more than just Niger, with Mali and Burkina Faso—both junta-led states—<a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/08/01/niger-mali-burkina-faso-ecowas-coup-military-intervention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warning</a>&nbsp;they would consider any intervention a “declaration of war.” Abdramane dismissed foreign efforts to discrete the coup and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/niger-junta-says-ousted-president-could-be-prosecuted-high-treason-2023-08-14/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;foreign powers are waging a misinformation campaign to try to &#8220;derail any negotiated solution to the crisis in order to justify military intervention.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for-0">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



Developments in Niger could have far-reaching ramifications for the region and international security writ large. Niger has long been considered a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/27/explainer-niger-a-linchpin-for-stability-in-africas-coup-belt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bastion of stability</a>&nbsp;in Africa’s otherwise tumultuous Sahel region. The country is a key partner in efforts to combat violent Islamic extremism in the Sahel and is one the few Western allies left in the region. The coup dashes hard fought gains towards democratic rule in Niger,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/how-the-coup-in-niger-could-expand-the-reach-of-islamic-extremism-and-wagner-in-west-africa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sets back counterterrorism efforts</a>&nbsp;and threatens to both destabilize the region and further&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coup-niger-jihadis-extremist-violence-a7ae8b8f3954cdf838692b074f9cd4e8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embolden</a>&nbsp;Islamic extremists. The possibility of regime change also deals a heavy blow to Western powers, notably France and the U.S., who not only lose a crucial ally and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/niger-coup-upends-u-s-security-plans-in-west-africa-handing-russia-an-opportunity-8dcf6679" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">security partner</a>&nbsp;but face the prospect of the country pivoting towards an enemy: Russia. Such shifts were seen following recent coups in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso and Moscow, especially via the&nbsp;<a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/05/17/russia-wagner-prigozhin-africa-war-security-terrorism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wagner mercenary group</a>, has been keen to grow its footprint in the region. The White House has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/niger-coup-upends-u-s-security-plans-in-west-africa-handing-russia-an-opportunity-8dcf6679" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;there is no evidence Russia or the Wagner Group were behind the coup. The country is also a key provider of uranium and strained relations could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/niger-coup-spark-concerns-france-uranium-dependency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress global supplies and energy</a>&nbsp;security, particularly for big importers like France and the European Union.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/08/01/why-the-niger-coup-has-sparked-concerns-about-nuclear-power/">Why The Niger Coup Has Sparked Concerns About Nuclear Power</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/05/17/russia-wagner-prigozhin-africa-war-security-terrorism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How Russia Expands Its Influence in Africa</a>&nbsp;(Foreign Policy)



<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/27/explainer-niger-a-linchpin-for-stability-in-africas-coup-belt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Explainer: Niger a linchpin for stability in Africa’s ‘coup belt’</a>&nbsp;(Guardian)

Key Speakers At The 77th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly

Niger Coup: Junta Leaders Will Charge Ousted President With ‘High Treason’

In the wake of a military coup in Niger and condemnation from international bodies, the uncertainty raises concerns about regional stability.



As dawn broke over Niamey, the capital city of Niger, a startling announcement was made yesterday on national television – soldiers had detained President Mohamed Bazoum and declared an end to the current regime. A cascade of reactions from regional and international bodies followed, denouncing the move as an attempted coup. This situation not only exacerbates an already turbulent political landscape in Niger but also portends significant economic implications set to reverberate across the region.



Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, condemned the military &#8220;acting in total betrayal of their republican duty,&#8221; urging the &#8220;felon soldiers&#8221; to return to their barracks in a statement late yesterday. Despite the plea and international condemnation, the president remains in custody, leaving the country teetering on the precipice of uncertainty. The regional bloc, ECOWAS, also decried the situation, imploring the soldiers to release the president immediately.



The coup is reportedly led by the presidential guard, who have taken Bazoum and several ministers captive. According to AFP sources, the president and the ministers are safe and unharmed. The situation remains fluid, and information is limited.



Beyond the immediate political upheaval, the long-term economic implications could be damning. If the situation further deteriorates, Niger, which ranks near the bottom of the United Nation’s (UN) Human Development Index and grapples with two jihadist campaigns, could face even more significant challenges. Already struggling with widespread poverty and insecurity, an unstable government could further discourage foreign investment and aid, potentially stifling the nation&#8217;s growth prospects.



Moreover, the country&#8217;s crucial mining sector, which includes uranium and gold, could face dire consequences. A destabilized government often leads to supply disruptions, which could send shockwaves through global commodity markets and impact Niger&#8217;s revenue streams, considering mining accounts for a significant chunk of the nation&#8217;s GDP.



US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a media briefing on the situation yesterday, observed: “Whether this constitutes a coup technically or not, I can&#8217;t say… but what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution.&#8221; This disruption could signify a regression from the democratic principles the nation has been striving to uphold since its last coup in 2010.



In a regional context, the fallout from this coup attempt can further destabilize the Sahel region. Neighboring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso, which have both experienced military coups in recent years due to escalating jihadist insurgencies, contribute to the region&#8217;s instability.



UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for democratic governance, peace, and stability, denouncing any efforts to seize power by force. In a statement yesterday, the UN pledged unwavering support to the government and people of Niger: &#8220;The Secretary-General calls on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order,&#8221; Guterres said.



As Niger teeters on the brink, the region and the world watch closely, hopeful for a swift and peaceful resolution.

Tag: Niger Coup

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17 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attack, Escalating Concerns Over Extremism

Niger Coup: Junta Leaders Will Charge Ousted President With ‘High Treason’

Coup In Niger: Leaders Condemn Seizing Power By Force