The Niger coup is a sobering reminder of West Africa’s vulnerability to military intervention and the continuous struggle for democratic consolidation. The question now is not only about Niger’s future but also about the future of democratic governance in West Africa.
The political upheaval in Niger Republic arrived in the form of a military coup on 26 July, an all-too-familiar sight for the region. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted from office by a military contingent led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani. This sequence of events threatens to undermine an already delicate geopolitical balance in the Sahel and West Africa, areas critical for regional and international security.
Niger’s stability is crucial not only for Nigeriens but also for preventing the regional expansion of jihadist groups, including the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and Boko Haram. These groups exploit political chaos to intensify their activities, which could further destabilize the already fragile Sahel region and potentially spill over into West Africa. How Niger’s political crisis unfolds will likely impact the broader region’s stability, potentially affecting migration trends, transnational terrorism and regional democratic norms...
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