Young individuals are coming together in Niamey, Niger, to participate in a volunteer initiative aimed at fighting for their country. The leader of the mutinous soldiers, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, has announced their intention to restore civilian rule within three years. While the specific details of the transition plan were not provided, Tchiani stated that the principles for the transition would be determined within 30 days at a dialogue organized by the junta. Tchiani expressed confidence that a resolution to the crisis would be found in the best interests of all parties involved.
A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by former Nigerian head of state Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, met with both Tchiani and the toppled President Mohamed Bazoum separately to aid in the reconciliation process. Leonardo Santos Simao, the U.N. special representative for West Africa and the Sahel, has also joined the efforts. In response to the crisis, ECOWAS ordered the deployment of a “standby force” to restore constitutional rule in Niger. Eleven member states have pledged troops for military intervention, excluding Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which are currently under military rule themselves. Both Mali and Burkina Faso have warned that any intervention in Niger would be considered an act of war. Mali and Burkina Faso’s show of solidarity included the dispatch of warplanes, as reported by Niger’s state television.
ECOWAS has made previous threats to restore democratic rule in Niger, which proved ineffective. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, acknowledged that the junta leaders are solidifying their control and appointing loyal commanders to key units. Meanwhile, ECOWAS lacks experience in military action in hostile territories and would not receive local support if they attempted to intervene. Laessing warns that Niger is a fragile country that could easily become a failed state like Sudan if military intervention occurs.
The arrival of the new U.S. ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, does not signify a change in U.S. policy position. FitzGibbon’s focus will be on advocating for a diplomatic solution that preserves constitutional order and the immediate release of Bazoum and his unlawfully detained family members. Meanwhile, on the streets of Niamey, residents are preparing to fight against an ECOWAS military intervention. Thousands of people have lined up outside the main stadium to register as fighters and volunteers, ready to provide assistance to the junta if needed. Some parents have even brought their children to sign up. The junta denies any involvement in the recruitment of volunteers to defend the coup.
The humanitarian situation in Niger is also a cause for concern, as nearly 3 million people were already facing severe food insecurity and hundreds of thousands were internally displaced prior to the coup. Economic and travel sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, along with deteriorating security, are expected to have dire consequences for the population. Western countries had viewed Niger as a democratic nation that could assist in combating a growing jihadi insurgency. However, since the coup, militants have taken advantage of the freedom of movement resulting from suspended military operations by the French and the U.S., leading to increased attacks against Niger’s army and civilians.
It is crucial for all parties involved to work towards a speedy and inclusive transition, focusing on protecting civilians from the devastating consequences of war. The recent attacks serve as a reminder that while political matters are being addressed in the capital, lethal jihadist attacks continue in the countryside.
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