Niger Coup: Reasons Behind the Overthrown of Mohamed Bazoum by Abubakar Haruna

Niger Republic has a history of military takeovers dating back to the 1960s, marked by political injustice, imbalance, and recent turmoil that has dominated its political landscape. The most recent wave of political upheaval began with the end of the tenure of former president Momadou Tandja. He aimed to amend the constitution for a third term, which led to a constitutional crisis and, subsequently, a military coup in 2010.

He was succeeded by military junta leader Col Salou Djibou, who oversaw a transition to civilian rule from 2010 to 2011. During this period, Mahammadou Issoufou fulfilled his presidential ambitions under the PNDS Tarayya party.

Fast forward ten years, and in 2021, Mohammed Bazoum succeeded Mammadou Issoufou as the president of Niger under the same PNDS Tarayya party. However, Bazoum's leadership was often viewed through the lens of being closely associated with his predecessor and seen as aligned with French interests.

On July 26, 2023, another military takeover occurred. General Abdurrahemane Tchiani assumed control as the leader of a transitional military junta after prolonged political disputes centered around imperialism and foreign influence.

While the international community widely condemned the coup, many Nigeriens supported the military takeover as a step towards asserting their independence from neocolonialist forces. The regional union ECOWAS and other international actors imposed economic sanctions on Niger in response.

This coup was initially suspected to involve foreign influences, including France and opposition groups. However, it was later revealed that nationalist military elements were behind the takeover. Citing security concerns, they pointed to ongoing security challenges that had plagued Niger since the fall of Mu'ammar Gaddafi in Libya.

Key reasons cited by Nigeriens and nationalists for the military takeover include:

During Issoufou's presidency, Niger appeared to align closely with French interests, leading to corruption and restrictions on political participation.

Issoufou's decision to bring in a French military contingent failed to effectively combat terrorism, leading to continued attacks.

Bazoum was perceived as continuing Issoufou's pro-France policies, leading to suspicions of a proxy presidency.

Bazoum's initial moves to distance from France were later reversed, raising concerns about French influence.

Issoufou's desire to impose his son as a successor fueled tensions with Bazoum.

As tensions escalated, the military intervened, stabilizing the situation and leading to protests in support of the military and against foreign influence. Nigeriens rallied behind Bazoum's departure from pro-France policies.

The military's intervention aimed to stabilize Niger and shift the balance away from foreign interests. This prompted a shift in public sentiment, favoring military involvement over civilian governments. Nigeriens expressed a desire for self-determination and an end to French influence.

As Niger transitions, the military is expected to play a stabilizing role before restoring democratic governance. The hope is for Niger to address its internal challenges and return to democratic values in due time.

In conclusion, Niger's recent political history is marked by a series of military takeovers and power struggles influenced by foreign interests. The most recent coup underscores Nigeriens' desire for self-determination and a departure from historic neocolonial influences. The military's mandate is to restore stability and guide the country toward a more democratic future.