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Tag: niger

  • Niger’s coup leaders stand ground as ECOWAS’ ultimatum expires

    Niger’s coup leaders stand ground as ECOWAS’ ultimatum expires

    Niger’s coup leaders have taken a defiant stance by shutting down the country’s airspace after rejecting an ultimatum from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum or face the threat of military intervention.

    The announcement, made late on Sunday, coincided with a massive gathering of coup supporters at a stadium in Niger’s capital, Niamey, showing their support for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the group that seized power.

    A CNSP spokesman Amadou Abdramane, cited the increasing threat of military intervention from neighboring countries within Central Africa as the reason for closing the airspace.

    “In the face of the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday … for all aircraft until further notice.

    “Niger’s armed forces and all our defence and security forces, backed by the unfailing support of our people, are ready to defend the integrity of our territory,” Abdramane said.

    While specific details of the pre-deployment of forces were not disclosed, the CNSP emphasized its readiness to defend Niger’s territorial integrity with the support of its armed forces and the people.

    The coup in Niger followed months of tension between President Mohamed Bazoum and his chief guard, revolving around the leader’s attempts to assert his authority and independence from his predecessor.

    President Bazoum’s actions, including strengthening military cooperation with France and the United States, limiting the autonomy of army commanders, and launching anti-corruption initiatives, created opposition from some influential figures, particularly in the oil sector.

    General Abdourahamane Tiani, who had served as the head of guard under former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou for a decade and continued under Bazoum’s presidency, plotted the coup, securing the loyalty of certain military commanders to ensure the plan’s success.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) notes that Issoufou was elected as the president in 2011, just a year after a military coup in Niger.

    Throughout his tenure, he earned praise for his commitment to democracy and good governance, voluntarily stepping aside in 2021 after serving two terms to set the stage for the first-ever democratic transition of power in Niger since its independence.

    The situation remains tense in Niger, with the CNSP’s decision to close the airspace further escalating the standoff with ECOWAS which had given an ultimatum to the coup leaders, demanding the reinstatement of the deposed president or face potential military intervention.

    However, there have been calls for the regional bloc to exercise restraint and refrain from using force to resolve the crisis and neighboring countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, which are also governed by military administrations, have warned that any attack on Niger will be perceived as an attack on them too.

    As the situation unfolds, the eyes of the world are on Niger, hoping for a resolution that leads to stability, unity, and prosperity for the nation and its people.

     

     

  • Celebration in Niger’s capital as ECOWAS ultimatum expires

    Celebration in Niger’s capital as ECOWAS ultimatum expires

    About 30,000 Nigeriens trooped out to attend a rally in Niamey, capital of Niger, on Sunday, in support of the military junta, as deadline issued by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) expired.

    The Nigeria-led ECOWAS, last Sunday, gave Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani and his lieutenants one week to release ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and restore democratic order in Niger.

    Bazoum’s democratic government that came into power in 2021 was toppled on July 26, an incident that was widely criticised.

    However, as junta refused to succumb to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s ECOWAS threat, Gen Mohamed Toumba, one of the leaders of the military council that seized power ten days ago, defiantly addressed the crowd in Niamey.

    According to RFI, Toumba said that shadowy forces were “plotting subversion” against “Niger’s march forward. We are aware of their Machiavellian plan.

    As Tchiani-led junta has not caved in, ECOWAS spearheaded by Nigeria keeps mum on the next move against Niger.

    Its silent can be traced to caution Tinubu has received in the last days to tread softly in deploying military operations against Nigeria’s neighbouring country, Niger, which impacts would be felt in the North.

    In his efforts as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu dispatched a high-level delegation to broker peace with the military junta, this week, a move that bore no fruits.

    Niger junta’s defiance may be rooted in the support of Mali and Burkina Faso as the situation in the West African country mirrors that of Mali, which also saw foreign soldiers ordered out of the country after a military coup in 2021.

    Neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso — which experienced a military coup in 2022 — have both pledged their support to Niger’s junta should ECOWAS make good on its threat of military intervention.

    They said any military intervention against Niger, translates to a declaration of war, and they will not fold their arms.

    In a similar situation, Algeria and Chad, which are not part of ECOWAS but share borders with Niger, have both stated they will not participate in any military operation.

    “We categorically refuse any military intervention,” Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said in a television interview on Saturday evening, adding that such action would be “a direct threat to Algeria”.

    The West’s evacuations and suspension of aid

    However, the position of the foreign powers is clear on Niger crisis, as the United States, France, and Germany, all back Tinubu-chaired West African regional bloc to wield power militarily.

    The West have not only evacuated their nationals in Niger, they also partially or totally suspended financial disbursements to the country.

    The US currently has some 1,000 soldiers stationed in the country, Germany has a continent of roughly 100 troops on the ground.

    Italy, one of several Western countries with forces stationed in Niger, said on Sunday it had reduced its troop numbers to make room in its military base for civilians who may need protection.

    Nigeria’s economic influence

    As ECOWAS member states were consulting their legislators over the weekend on the bloc’s contingency plan to intervene, it is understood that Nigeria, the most populous African country, has an economic clout to punish Niger.

    Nigeria, which supplies up to 90 percent of the electricity in Niger, has cut off some of the supply, and also closed its land borders, as well as ordering no-fly zone.

    This has also raised prices of food in Niger, as humanitarian groups have warned of “devastating effects” on the lives of over 4.4 million people in need of aid.

    These sanctions could bring more in the days to come, as Tinubu-led West African regional bloc, will employ all possible efforts to restore democratic order in Niger.

  • Niger crisis: Prophet Okoh seeks peaceful resolution,says God working to restore Africa

    Niger crisis: Prophet Okoh seeks peaceful resolution,says God working to restore Africa

    A Christisn cleric , Prophet Godwin Okoh, on Sunday called on the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS)and Nigeria, to use peaceful means to resolve the political crisis in Niger Republic.

    Okoh, Founder , Jehovah Eyes Salvation Ministry, made the call in his “State of the Nation” message at the church in Lagos.

    The cleric said God revealed to him that He would use Nigeria to play a big role to intervene in the crisis in Niger Republic.

    According to him, God is working to restore Africa and He has fashioned out the reform of the continent through the current leadership crisis in Niger.

    “The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should probably position itself for leadership re-engineering of the people to command global respect through a peaceful resolution of the power imbalance in Niger.

    “Nigeria ,through the crisis, will be expected to play a fatherly role in the process that will earn it global reckoning, and respect among the world powers.

    “We need to seek the face of God through prayer to bring this to reality,” he said.

    He called on President, Bola Tinubu ,who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS , to apply wisdom in approaching the Niger problem.

    He urged Tinubu to tread with caution to avoid mistakes in managing the crisis in the neighbouring country.

    “The young man in the leadership of Niger should be treated with wisdom by the elders around to forestall imminent international conspiracy capable of thwarting the divine African restoration project.”,he added.

    T President Mohammed Bazoum was on July 26 ousted by a military coup in Niger The coup led Abdourahamane Tchiani, has thrown the landlocked- West African country into crisis ,attracting regional and global concern.

    The Nigerian Senate had on Saturday expressed opposition to the use of military option as solution to the Niger crisis

     

  • Niger coup: Fani-Kayode warns Mali, Burkina Faso

    Niger coup: Fani-Kayode warns Mali, Burkina Faso

    Former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has warned African countries, including Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, not to lightly wake Nigeria’s sleeping sword, advising them that they should think twice before threatening Nigeria with war.

    Fani-Kayode said he frowns at videos of Nigerien, Burkinabe and Malian soldiers marching and chanting war songs against Nigeria while being applauded and egged on by ecstatic French-speaking crowds who reigned curses on the nation’s president.

    In a lengthy post on his Twitter handle on Sunday, Fani-Kayode warned, “Before provoking our nation into armed conflict and threatening us with war our traducers should know we are a peace-loving people who are kind, compassionate, hard-working and accommodating.”

    He also boasted that the size of the economy and GDP of all the countries in Africa ruled by military dictators put together, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sudan, Guinea and the Niger Republic are nowhere near that of Lagos State alone.

    “They forget that we are a country that has almost singlehandedly confronted and contained the two most deadly terrorist organisations and armies in the world, ISWAP and Boko Haram, and a separatist movement known as IPOB with its own fledgling terrorist army known as the ESN and yet we still stand undeterred and strong.

    “Such is the courage, strength, resilience, fighting spirit, foresight, fortitude and sense of patriotism of the Nigerian.

    “Before you threaten us with war think twice, study our history and learn about who we are and what we are capable of doing.”

  • Coup: Army will defend Nigeria’s democracy at all cost – Lagbaja

    Coup: Army will defend Nigeria’s democracy at all cost – Lagbaja

    As the neighbouring Niger Republic became the latest West African country to experience a military coup, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has declared that the Nigerian military will always defend the nation’s democracy at all costs using every constitutional means.

    Lt. General Lagbaja spoke at the Passing Out Parade of officers of Executive Commission Course One of the Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State, on Saturday.

    “He emphasized that the desire of every Nigerian is a flourishing, uninterrupted constitutional democratic governance, that promotes national values and the interest of every well-meaning Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation,” the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement.

    He is assuring of the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to stoutly defend the nation’s territorial integrity and ensure internal security against non-state actors such as Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, Indigenous People of Biafra (POB) and other criminal elements.

    The COAS, however, warned that the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist groups in the North East, kidnappings and banditry in the North West and North Central as well as secessionist agitations by IPOB in the South East could undermine the nation’s cherished corporate existence and national security if they not immediately nipped in the bud.

    The Army chief is asking the graduating officers to get ready for work.

    According to the Army chief, the graduating officers must therefore brace up for the arduous task ahead. He said most of them will be deployed to the battlefields where their services are highly needed to surmount all security threats.

    He is also warning the officers against indulging in any form of insubordination and to remain apolitical in discharging their constitutional duties of protecting their fatherland.

    “I, therefore, charge all Nigerian Army personnel to be proud champions of our flourishing democracy and remain apolitical in discharging their constitutional duties,” the COAS added.

     

  • Coup d’état: Niger cuts off French media

    Coup d’état: Niger cuts off French media

    With the military taking power in Niger, anti-French sentiment in the country is growing; the new regime has interfered with French media broadcasting in the country.

    A week after the coup d’état in Niger, according to various sources, the broadcasting of RFI and France 24 programmes in the country was interrupted.

    France Médias Monde, which supervises French media activities, has criticised the development, which it said was “taken outside any conventional or legal framework, which further deprives citizens in the region of access to free, independent and verified information”.

    RFI and France 24 said they had already faced censorship in Mali and Burkina Faso in recent months after those countries also suffered coups and where sentiments were similarly anti-French.

    The new government in Niger has banned France 24 TV and RFI radio. France has condemned the action.

    RFI radio claimed a weekly audience of 1.9 million listeners in Niger, or 18 per cent of the population, and said it was the number-one international broadcaster with opinion leaders. France 24 TV was reportedly followed by a quarter of Niger’s population.

    The French broadcasters pointed out that they are still accessible in Niger through direct satellite reception with certain channels and can be accessed via YouTube and elsewhere on the internet.

    The European Union strongly condemned the blocking of RFI and France 24 in Niger, considering it a “violation of human rights and freedoms”, EU spokeswoman Nabila Masrali said.

    Niger’s coup leaders further said they ended the mandates of ambassadors to the United States, France, Nigeria and Togo. The move was made public via national TV by a member of the new regime.

    Niger’s Ambassador to France Aichatou Boulama Kane asserted on August 4 that she was still in position despite the coup in the West African country. She expressed her continued loyalty to detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

    Kane, who has been serving as ambassador since July 2022, firmly rejected the coup leaders’ order to terminate her mandate, along with those of the Niger ambassadors to Nigeria, Togo, and the United States. She deemed the order “null and void”.

    In an interview with AFP, she stated: “I am still the ambassador of the legitimate [deposed Niger] President Mohamed Bazoum and I consider myself to be so.”

    She further insisted that the notification to cull her position, issued by the new leaders, was made by illegitimate authorities. “I am the ambassador of Niger in France,” she said.

    Bazoum published an opinion piece in The Washington Post asking for “the US Government and the entire international community to help us restore our constitutional order”.

    “Fighting for our shared values, including democratic pluralism and respect for the rule of law, is the only way to make sustainable progress against poverty and terrorism,” he added.

    “The Nigerien people will never forget your support at this pivotal moment in our history.”

     

  • Don’t declare war against Niger Republic to please US, France-lawmaker urges Tinubu

    Don’t declare war against Niger Republic to please US, France-lawmaker urges Tinubu

    The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has told president Bola Tinubu not to rush into war with Niger Republic in his bid to please the United States of America and France, as doing so could earn Nigeria the wrath of Russia.

    Rep. Aguocha in a statement he personally issued on Friday, urged President Tinubu to jettison any war option as doing so would be putting Nigeria into unnecessary risks

    “We are on the verge of being played by the US and France into going to war in defense of their interests and risking confrontation with Russia and the Wagner Group!

    “May our Government not turn out to be either incompetent or vainglorious or both. Now is the time to speak out. May our Government be properly guided. “

    The lawmaker also argued that Nigeria cutting off power supply to Niger Republic was tantamount to breaching trade agreement she earlier entered into with her Francophone neighbour.

    “Those whom the gods want to destroy, they first make vain and mad!

    “We are intending to violate treaty obligations to supply power to Niger Republic (in return for their not damming the River Niger upstream of Kainji and Jebba) in aid of inchoate foreign policy goals and objectives.

    “We are very broke, and can barely fund our debts to cushion the poor from severe economic hardship; the unemployed, and most especially the military to deal with multifaceted insurgence and domestic threats, yet we are roaring to go to war against the regime in Niamey.”

    The lawmaker insisted that there were other better ways of resolving the political crises in Niger without resorting to war.

     

  • Customs closes border, says not at war with Niger Republic

    Customs closes border, says not at war with Niger Republic

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says the closure of Nigeria borders with Niger Republic is not a declaration of war between the two countries as speculated.

    Mr Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS acting Comptroller General, made the assertion while addressing Illela border community of Sokoto State on Friday.

    Adeniyi, who was at the Illela border to ascertain the level of compliance, clarified that what is happening in Nigeria is also happening in other states of West Africa that shares same border with Niger Republic.

    “My mission here is to restate the directives of President Bola Tinubu, been not only the Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    “As we are aware one of the Chairman’s responsibility is to promote trade between members of ECOWAS.

    “But we all know that trade cannot happen in an environment where there is no peace.

    “So the intention of government is to ensure that we leverage perfectly on the nexus between trade and security,” he said.

    The acting comptroller general added that the situation happening in Niger Republic is such that trade cannot strive.

    “This development initiated the ECOWAS Heads of States decision to seize trade with our neighbours, the Republic of Niger.

    “However, there are other measures that are ongoing, the diplomatic front, there are engagement going on with the authority of Niger to ensure the crisis is peacefully resolved,” he added.

    Adeniyi further stated that the action is not only restricted to Illela border but all other areas where the Niger Republic is bordering the country.

    “So what we are saying is that the closure will be a temporary thing until we have final resolution of the crisis in Niger Republic.

    “But certainly we are not at war with Niger Republic and no such declaration has been made,” he said.

    On his remarks Alhaji Buhari Tukur, the District Head of Illela, appreciated the customs chief.

    Tukur, represented by Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, assured that the community would continue to remain law abiding and respect government policies.

  • Coup: ECOWAS Military Chiefs announce decision on Niger

    Coup: ECOWAS Military Chiefs announce decision on Niger

    ECOWAS defence chiefs on Friday said there should be comprehensive approach that encompasses political, security and diplomatic dimensions in addressing the situation in Niger Republic.

    The Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) of Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) countries made this known at the end of their three-day Extra Ordinary Meeting, in Abuja.

    Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and President of the committee, Gen. Christopher Musa, commended ECOWAS for standing firm for democracy, adding that the militaries of the member countries were firmly in support of their stand.

    He said that the committee collectively recognised the gravity of the situation in Niger and the urgent need for a well-coordinated response.

    Musa added that they also examined the immediate implication of the coup and its potential ripple effects across the ECOWAS region.

    “We have also deliberated on the broader implication for democracy, peace and stability in West Africa and pleased to note that our discussions have yielded valuable insights and actionable recommendations.

    “We have acknowledged the need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses political, security and diplomatic dimensions.

    “It is imperative that we translate our deliberations into concrete actions that effectively address the crisis and prevent a recurrence in the future.

    “Democracy is what we stand for and democracy is what we will sustain,” he said.

    Musa said the military chiefs agreed that there was no alternative democratic principles and rule of law in the region, adding that the coup in Niger represented blatant disregard for the fundamental principles that underpin regional integration and stability.

    “We must condemn such action and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to democracy,” he said,  adding that regional security architecture should be strengthened to enhance collective response to security challenges.

    According him, the meeting recognised the fact that the coup in Niger highlighted the fragility of the region.

    “We must enhance intelligence sharing, joint training exercises and capacity building initiative among our defence and security forces to effectively combat threats to our collective security and enhance interoperability.

    “We must intensify our diplomatic efforts to engage with all relevant stakeholders.

    “Dialogue and negotiations should be at the forefront of our approach in resolving the crisis in the Republic of Niger.

    “We must engage the tranditional authorities, civil society, organisation and all the key actors to foster an inclusive and peaceful transition process,” he said.

    The CDS said the meeting urged member states to hasten the implementation of the recommendations and translate them into tangible actions for quick solutions to the situation in Niger.

    “Let us seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact and ensure that the Republic of Niger and the entire region can progress on the path of democracy, peace, and stability.

    “I urge you all to prioritise the implementation of recommendations that have been put forth during our deliberations.

    “This requires a concerted effort and a sense of urgency. We must allocate the necessary resources, engage relevant stakeholders, and monitor progress to ensure that our decisions have a tangible impact on the ground,” he added.

    ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, commended the military chiefs for taking time to produce a concept of operation for an eventual military intervention to restore constitutional order in Niger.

    Musah said that all the elements that would go into any intervention had been worked out and were being refined, including the timing, resources needed and how, where and when to deploy such force.

    He said that ECOWAS being a rule-based institution was determined to put an end to the military coup contagion in the region.

    “But first, we are giving diplomacy every chance to succeed and there have been multiple approaches to the military Junta in Niger.

    “The results of whatever has been achieved here will be presented very soon to the Heads of Central Government who will have the last say as to what we are going to do with regard to the situation in the Republic of Niger, provided that all diplomatic overtures do not yield result.

    “So I want to, through this medium also appeal to the military in Niger to give peace a chance, and then think about their populations and do the right thing by immediately restoring constitutional order in their country.

    “That is our message to them and if they don’t, then we will make them hand over to civilian authorities and that is the determination of ECOWAS and we want to send that message clearly across to all of them,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, said that Nigeria was committed to restoring democracy in Niger, but said military option would be the last resort.

    “Military option is the last option but the President has directed us, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria to come together with other ECOWAS members,” he said.

    Countries represented at the meeting included Togo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Gambia, Cote Devoir, Cape Verde and Benin while Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso were absent.

  • Before marching to Niamey, let us pause – By Owei Lakemfa

    Before marching to Niamey, let us pause – By Owei Lakemfa

    THE new military rulers in Niger Republic, the country which marked independence day on Thursday, August 3, 2023 have a Sunday ultimatum from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS. It is that they give up power and restore elected President Mohammed Bazoum to power or face serious measures, including possible invasion.

    ECOWAS also imposed sanctions, including border closures, a no-fly zone and the freezing of Nigerien assets. The options seem to be that if former Presidential Guard head, General Abdourahamane Tchiani and his boys do not give up power by that day, ECOWAS would either add more sanctions and pressure, or invade Niger. The issues are, however, not as straight forward; there are many complications, including foreign interests.

    As for war, you can only know its beginning, not how it will end; the logic of war is that it has no logic except death and destruction. For instance, ECOWAS can invade Niger only to also be faced by the armies of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Algeria.

    Nigerian soldiers can be sent into Niger, only to find out that they are essentially continuing France’s unholy wars of occupation, domination, exploitation, theft and assassination of uncooperative leaders in Africa.

    The new leaders in Niger accuse France of planning to invade the country because they have asked French troops to leave the country. France has refused to either confirm or deny the allegation but it will be logical for France to want to hold on to Niger after its troops have been kicked out of Mali and Burkina Faso. Those expulsions leave France with only two major military bases: Niger and Chad. In comparison with these, the other French military bases in Africa such as Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Senegal and Gabon, are small.

    While ECOWAS motives may be pure, its signals can sometimes be confusing. For instance, the envoy it sent to Niger is Chadian coup plotter, General Mahamat Idriss Deby from Chad, a country that is not even a member of ECOWAS. Mahamat was seven when his father, Idris Deby overthrew the Chadian government. In preparing Mahamat to take over the Chadian government, Deby made his son a General at 26. Deby transitioned into an ‘elected’ president with a constitution.

    When he died on April 19, 2021, constitutionally, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Haroun Kabadi was to act as President for 40 days after which fresh elections were to be held. But Mahamat next day overthrew the government, sacked the executive, dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution. The international custodians of democracy generally gave a nod to the coup. France was more direct. Its Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said the coup was justified on the basis of security, adding that overthrowing democracy in Chad was acceptable as: “There are exceptional circumstances.”

    Big Brother Nigeria also supported the Chadian coup. Its then Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Jideofor Onyeama, said Nigeria supported the coup because it does not want a power vacuum. Then Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari followed up by inviting Mahamat to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja where the young General in uniform with military boots thudding the floor, was given a red carpet. Buhari assured him: “We will help you in all ways we can.”

    So, what is the logic in anti-coup ECOWAS sending a coup plotter to meet a fellow coup plotter in neigbouring Niger? Is it to set a thief to catch a thief or in the hope that General Mahamat would take advantage of esprit de corps to persuade the Nigerien military to restore constitutional rule; the very thing he has for two years refused to do in Chad? The reason why the Chadian military would not allow democracy of the ballot box is because it is controlled by a tiny ethnic group, the Zaghawa or Beri, which is one per cent of the population but has been in power for the past 33 years.

    While the motives of ECOWAS might be pure, those of some of its leaders at the meeting may not be. For instance, President Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire whose dedication to France is not in doubt, is in his third term in office when the country’s constitution provides for a maximum two terms.

    Another ECOWAS leader is Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe who has been in power for 18 years now. When his father, former Sergeant Gnassingbe Eyadema died on February 5, 2005 after 37 years in power, Faure overthrew the elected Togolese government.

    He was in power for 20 days before installing a puppet, Bonfoh Abass in office for 68 days, after which he returned to power. Can the son of a coup plotter, and a coup plotter in his own right, really be against coups?

    Those who advocate the immediate invasion of Niger may be oblivious of the fact that President Bazoum, his family and some officials of the Niger administration are being held by the coup plotters; or would they be mere collateral damage?

    In my analysis, were there to be an invasion, Nigeria will play a lead role. Yet, its military is bogged down by secessionist violence in the South-East, terrorists in the North-East, armed militia storming through the Middle Belt and bandits rampaging throughout the country, especially in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger states. So, would it be wise to pull out troops from this same military and send them into Niger with which we share a 1,000-kilometre border?

    In any case, should an heavily indebted Nigeria, unable to maintain vital subsidies for its populace, spend resources sending and maintaining troops in a foreign country? If the money comes from other countries, at what costs and what guarantees? On the other hand, the invasion of Niger can be sourced to Chad, whose French-backed military is essentially mercenary which has fought in countries like Mali and the Central African Republic, and can source troops from its Zaghawa kith and kin in Darfur, Sudan.

    Also, before we invade Niger, let us think through some basic facts. First, the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are said to be in response to Islamic jihadist movements. These terrorist movements have their ancestry in the Mujahedeen created by the Unites States and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda grew out of that Mujahdeen.

    Then the West with its Gulf allies created the Islamic State, ISIS, which spilled out of control, spreading terrorism to various countries, including Mali where the Nigeria Boko Haram members were trained, financed and armed. Yet, another vital link. The West bombed Ghadafi and his government out of existence turning Libya not just into a basket case, but also the source of free arms and itinerant terrorists.

    Before we invade Niger, let us pause and think. Dacor (Okay?)