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Tag: niger

  • Niger Coup: Junta demands restoration of electricity from Nigeria

    Niger Coup: Junta demands restoration of electricity from Nigeria

    The junta-led government by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, in Niger Republic has asked for the restoration of electricity cut off by the Federal Government of Nigeria recently.

    Recall that Nigeria cut off the power that it supplied to the neighbouring country after Gen Tchiani seized power from the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum few weeks back.

    Nigeria supplied about 70% of the electricity used in  Niger but has now cut it off as one of the sanctions placed on the country due to the coup.

    Tchiani, who made the request during their meeting with the Ulamas from Nigeria in Niamey on Saturday, said they were outraged that the regional bloc did not hear from them before slamming several embargoes on them, including the threat of military intervention to restore democracy.

    But Tinubu, who is the ECOWAS chairman, told his visitors on Tuesday that any interference in democratic governance would not be accepted by the leadership of the regional body.

    The President also praised the solidarity of the Economic Community of Central African States on the political impasse in the Republic of Niger, according to a statement released by the Presidential Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.

    The President said the special message of support and solidarity from President Bongo, who doubles as the Chairman of ECCAS, expressing the full support for ECOWAS resolutions on the unconstitutional takeover of government in Niger, proved once more that military interference in democratic governance was not acceptable anywhere, and certainly, no longer so on the African continent.

    “I appreciate the solidarity and support of President Bongo on the situation in Niger. We are working not to compound the problem. We have well-meaning people who have intervened.

    “I understand the fear of our people on any form of military action. We are working to keep the sanctions in place and we are following them to the letter.

    “We are happy to know that ECCAS is with us on this. Interference in democratic governance is not acceptable to ECOWAS,” Tinubu stated.

  • ECOWAS: A house divided against itself?

    ECOWAS: A house divided against itself?

    By Temitope Ponle

    Is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the proverbial house divided against itself?

    On July 26, the military in Niger Republic staged a coup which ousted the government of President Mohamed Bazoum.

    This occurred after armed guards had taken over the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital, and placed Bazoum under house arrest.

    Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, the former head of Bazoum’s presidential guard, shut Bazoum in his palace and later declared himself head of state.

    The 15-nation regional bloc, ECOWAS, then took a hardline position on the coup when it gave a one-week ultimatum to the junta in Niger to release Bazoum from detention and revert to status quo ante or face a military invasion of an ECOWAS military force.

    This hardline position of ECOWAS leaders prompted Mali and Burkina Faso, both neighbours of Niger and being led by military leaders themselves, to say that they would consider any military action in Niger as a declaration of war against them too.

    This scenario has portrayed the sub-regional bloc as a house that is polarised against itself.

    Speaking on the situation with Niger, Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence and Chairman of the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs, said in Abuja at a meeting with other defence chiefs in the sub-region that “the task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications.

    “Our decisions will send a strong message about our commitment to democracy, our intolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, and our dedication to regional stability.”

    The Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS countries convened in a three-day Extraordinary Meeting, on Aug. 4.

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

    “Democracy is what we stand for and democracy is what we will sustain,” the general added.

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

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

    He called for the enhancement of intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and capacity-building among defence and security forces of the sub-region to effectively combat threats to collective security and enhance interoperability.

    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.

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

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

    Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former military governor of Ondo state (1988–1990), called for dialogue and said the social and security situation in Niger was a call to look inwards rather than go to war.

    “The are issues of internal security of the country, the insurgency that is ravaging Nigeria, problem of the Fulani herdsmen, the Boko Haram, the hunger of the people, making people restless.

    “So why add another fourth dimension to it? Does it make any economic sense? Is it going to affect our economy or going to affect the way we resolve our own crisis here? The worst part of it is it will make economic indices go worse.”

    George reiterated that the ECOWAS was set up to establish economic cooperation and to raise the living standards of the people in the community.

    “Is ECOWAS built for military intervention? It is not like the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

    “It is not different from the European Union (EU) which is for economic cooperation, but NATO is military.

    “ECOWAS has nothing to do with military really. You can have them for peacekeeping, not warfare,” he stressed.

    He, however, urged the ECOWAS to jointly fight against the “mindless stealing of raw materials” being perpatrated by non-African countries, establish industries, and train the people of the community for the betterment and development of the sub-region.

    “We’ve had enough of you (foreigners) taking our resources to support your standards of living out there and giving us pittance in return.

    “The largest deposit of uranium, that is used for nuclear weapons, is located in Niger, and the country has a stupendous amount of gold deposit, and potassium too.

    “It is a new century, a new beginning. Africa must fight for its people.”

    Speaking with NAN, Sen. Shehu Sani, former Senate Committee Deputy Chairman on Foreign Affairs in the 8th Senate, said it was understandable for both Mali and Burkina Faso to take the stand they took against the military invasion of Niger considering that they are both being ruled by military juntas and therefore protecting their own interests as well.

    Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District (APC) from 2015 to 2019 urged ECOWAS member states to take advantage of the face-off between the Francophone countries and their colonial master, France to strengthen the bond between them rather than allow divisive elements to cause a crack within the bloc.

    He advised all member states to take advantage of the current impasse not to carry out a military invasion of Niger but to come up with a common currency that both the Anglophone and Francophone countries could use to promote the socio-economic development of the sub-region.

    Analysts are of the opinion that ECOWAS members cannot afford to allow primaeval sentiments and other divisive elements to polarise them, especially in view of the volatile nature of the sub-region.

    They draw attention to the fact that jihadists and other terror groups in the sub-region could capitalise on the existing crisis and use it to further exacerbate the already bad security situation in West Africa and thus make peaceful governance difficult if not impossible.

    NAN

  • Niger coup, setback for Sahel devt – German minister

    Niger coup, setback for Sahel devt – German minister

    German development minister Svenja Schulze on Tuesday said the Niger coup was “a setback that aggravates the complex development challenges in the country and in the Sahel.”

    Svenja announced during a visit to West Africa calling for the immediate release of ousted President Bazoum Mohamed.

    “We call for the immediate release of President Bazoum and for the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,” Schulze said in a statement on behalf of the Sahel Alliance.

    On 26 July 2023, the Presidential Guard in Niger launched a coup and detained President Bazoum and his family.

    Senior officers from various branches of the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) formed a junta, named the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), and announced the seizure of power on a televised broadcast.

    Public response varied, with initial demonstrations in support of Bazoum being dispersed by mutinous soldiers, followed by subsequent demonstrations in support of the CNSP.

    By July 27, the Nigerien Armed Forces joined the CNSP, citing their intent to avoid lethal confrontation and to safeguard the president and his family.

    The coup has largely been condemned internationally, including key stakeholders like the United States, France, the European Union, and ECOWAS.

    During a summit in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, ECOWAS considered military intervention and threatened sanctions to pressure the junta to reinstate Bazoum by giving a one-week ultimatum.

    The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) imposed immediate sanctions and froze Nigerien state assets.

    Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali have declared their support for the Nigerien junta and expressed their refusal to apply any sanctions imposed on Niger.

    Burkina Faso and Mali further warned in a joint statement that any military intervention in Niger was a declaration of war against the two countries.

    The reactions in support of Niger from the junta-led states have set the stage for a deeper divide and potential break-up of the West African bloc.

    The coup’s aftermath brings a high potential for domestic unrest and regional conflict, a surge in militant activities, democratic backsliding and restriction of civil liberties, and severe socio-economic consequences due to sanctions.

    The military junta has not consolidated its power grab and faces strong opposition from many international stakeholders.

    Bazoum not only enjoys support from the international community but also from a large segment of the population across Niger, with signs of supporters counter-mobilising for mass demonstrations against the junta.

  • Mali’s president confirms call with Putin about Niger coup

    Mali’s president confirms call with Putin about Niger coup

    Mali’s military leader Assimi Goita said on Tuesday that he had spoken on the phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation in Niger, where a junta seized power in a coup last month.

    Putin “stressed the importance of a peaceful resolution of the situation for a more stable Sahel,” Goita said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

    Western powers fear that Niger could go the same way as neighbouring Mali, whose leaders hired mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group to help them fight an insurgency after they overthrew the democratic government three years ago and kicked out French troops.

    Putin has called for a return to constitutional order in Niger, while Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin welcomed the coup.

    Support for Russia has appeared to surge in Niger since the July 26 coup, with junta supporters waving Russian flags at several rallies.

  • Coup in Niger exposes fissures in Nigeria’s polity – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Coup in Niger exposes fissures in Nigeria’s polity – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Each side in the Niger Republic coup crisis is ratcheting up the ante, in a power show that’s the potential to further destabilise the West African region.

    The military junta that staged a coup d’etat on July 26 has dug in by shunning peace overtures from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), United Nations, and some Western countries, including the United States and France, and establishing a quasi civilian administration, with the appointment of a Prime Minister.

    The coupists, led by former presidential guards’ commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who heads the junta, have threatened to kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum should the ECOWAS force invade Niger to restore constitutional order.

    At the second extraordinary summit of its Heads of States and Government in Abuja on August 10, ECOWAS called up its standby military force in readiness for any eventuality in Niger.

    This comes after the junta’s bluffing of an ECOWAS seven-day ultimatum to return power to Bazoum, who’s been under house arrest since his overthrow.

    Rather than diminishing, supports for military intervention in Niger is growing, particularly after the junta’s threat to kill Bazoum. ECOWAS has vowed to punish the putschists, according to the bloc’s.

    Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, as he spoke on Channels Television on August 11.

    Musah said: “We are going there (Niger), if need be, to rescue President Bazoum, who is living in very terrible conditions today.

    “We cannot just sit back idle and depend on the goodwill of these people, who are disrupting the democratic process in the country.

    “Yesterday’s (August 10) communique also made it very clear that this junta will pay dearly if anything happens to the safety, security, or physical integrity of Bazoum, his family, or members of his government. That was clearly done.

    “We are not going to hold back because they are holding the president hostage. If they dare, if they should harm him in any way, then they are going to pay very dearly for that. So, this is a tactic.”

    Also, the AU – expected to meet today (August 14) to discuss the situation in Niger – has expressed support for ECOWAS’ decision, and called on the junta to “urgently halt the escalation with the regional organisation.”

    Ivory Coast’s president, Alassane Ouattara, has pledged his country’s participation in any ECOWAS military operation in Niger, along with Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    “Ivory Coast will provide a battalion and has made all the financial arrangements… We are determined to install Bazoum in his position. Our objective is peace and stability in the sub-region,” Ouattara said on state television.

    Besides, France and the United States – which have more than 2,500 military personnel in Niger – have endorsed ECOWAS’ position that no harm should come to Bazoum, his family and members of his ousted government.

    While France’s foreign ministry said it supported “all conclusions adopted” by the ECOWAS leaders, U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said America appreciated “the determination of ECOWAS to explore all options for the peaceful resolution of the crisis,” and would hold the junta accountable for the safety and security of President Bazoum.

    It’s unclear if the threat on Bazoum’s life would change ECOWAS’ decision to intervene militarily in Niger. But going by agency report, analysts believe “it might give them pause, or push the parties closer to dialogue, but the situation has entered uncharted territory.”

    Meanwhile, the military coup d’etat in Niger has exposed the fissures in Nigeria’s polity along ethnic, sectional and partisan leanings.

    A proposed “use of force” by ECOWAS to restore democracy in the country has been turned into a “President Tinubu’s war” on Niger and its people, indicating that many Nigerians are in support of the coup and the junta therefrom.

    The coup had hardly settled when Nigerians began to applaud the overthrow of President Bazoum’s government by elements of the presidential guards, who reportedly falsely alleged the inability of the government to tackle insecurity in Niger, rather than the putsch stemming mainly from power struggle between Bazoum and Gen. Tchiani.

    That an elected government was illegality overthrown doesn’t worry Nigerians rooting for the coupists. All they care, and happy about is a disruption of the government in Niger – and a wish for a similar scenario taking place in Nigeria!

    It’s no surprise that the coup hailers – and opposers of any intervention in Niger – are mostly the same people that canvassed a military takeover in Nigeria or installation of an Inerim National Government post-the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

    Recall that protesters of the declaration of Senator Bola Tinubu as winner of the poll had marched to the Military command in the FCT, Abuja, to incite soldiers to seize power, and prevent Tinubu’s inauguration as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on May 29.

    However, the groundswell of opposition in Northern Nigeria to a forceful reinstatement of the deposed government in Niger is beyond what the individuals and groups adduce as reasons for opposing the ECOWAS, which’s chaired by President Tinubu.

    The Northern voices say any military intervention in Niger will worsen the security situation in the North – which’s linguistic, cultural and religious affinity with the country that borders several states of Nigeria – and affect movements and trade between the two nations.

    These are genuine fears that the Nigerian government, ECOWAS and their backers should take into account in whatever actions they take against the military clique in Niger!

    Yet, what baffles keen observers is North’s tepid condemnation of the coup in Niger, but a vehement opposition to deploying might to push out the coupists from their illegal seizure and occupation of power in the country.

    Why didn’t the North employ the same vehemence to condemn the coup as one too many, and urge the junta to return to the barracks? Perhaps, the ECOWAS sabre-rattling wouldn’t be necessary!

    Northerners’ opposition to removing the rebels – in a similar fashion that the soldiers had overthrown the Bazoum government – has demonstrated to the coupists that they’ve Nigerian allies and supporters that can prevail on and/or prevent the Tinubu administration from enforcing the ECOWAS roadmap on Niger.

    Sadly, some that oppose external intervention blame Tinubu for the situation in Niger, and thus see Nigeria’s position as a “Tinubu’s war” from two angles.

    Northerners regard the ECOWAS initiative as a Tinubu (Southern) war against their brethren in Niger, and invariably a war against Northern Nigeria.
    Other Nigerians consider the ECOWAS intervention as a Tinubu diversion of attention from the socio-economic challenges his government has inflicted on Nigerians since May 29, 2023.

    This is giving the dog a bad name in order to hang it. Blaming the ECOWAS push in Niger on Tinubu is uncalled for! The blame should go to Gen. Tchiani, who ousted the Bazoum government!

    The campaign to stop a possible use of force in Niger by ECOWAS shouldn’t be a blackmail tool to bully and threaten President Tinubu because he’s the Chairman of the regional body.

    Tinubu’s devoted the greater part of his life – as a pro-democracy activist and Governor of Lagos State – to fight against military incursions in government, and for enthronement and sustenance of democracy and observance of the rule of law in Nigeria.

    So, Tinubu just can’t abandon these lofty ideals as President of Nigeria – which is looked upon to lead West African countries, and the African continent in such circumstances as the ECOWAS push to restore democracy in Niger.

    Still, it’s welcoming that the President and ECOWAS remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger, as Tinubu remarked at the second regional extraordinary summit in Abuja.

    His words: “We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.

    “It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.”

    This’ll douse tension in the region, particularly in Nigeria, where non-state actors are jumping into the fray, to take a front row in opposing the alleged “Tinubu’s war” in Niger.

    So, Nigerians should give the President the benefit of the doubt on the Niger saga!

  • Breaking! ECOWAS condemns move by Niger junta to make Bazoum face trial

    Breaking! ECOWAS condemns move by Niger junta to make Bazoum face trial

    … insists Bazoum remains elected president

    (COPY ATTACHED)

    The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS has rejected moves by Niger military junta to make President Mohammed Bazoum to face trial on ‘high’ treason.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the bloc in a statement condemned the move insisting Bazoum remains the democratically elected president of Niger.

    The bloc calls for his immediate release as he remains the recognized president of Niger Republic.

    Statement below:

  • We’re ready to dialogue – Niger coupists give fresh update after meeting Council of Ulamas

    We’re ready to dialogue – Niger coupists give fresh update after meeting Council of Ulamas

    Niger coupists have finally agreed to open dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the current political situation in the country.

    This is based on the outcome of the negotiations between the coup leaders led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani and a delegation of Nigerian Islamic scholars led by the national leader of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau.

    Following the deliberations, Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, was quoted to have said General Tchiani gave the green light for talks with ECOWAS and was optimistic the talks with ECOWAS would take place in the next few days.

    He also expressed optimism that the sanctions against the country would be lifted.

    We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us. we hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted,’’ he said.

    Details shortly…

  • Niger: Blackouts from ECOWAS sanctions hurting business

    Niger: Blackouts from ECOWAS sanctions hurting business

    People in Niger are feeling the pinch from sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, in response to a military coup in the country, which have resulted in longer power cuts.

    Over a week ago, leaders of ECOWAS, a 15-member regional bloc, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, UEMOA, decided to impose economic and financial sanctions to Niger in response to the unconstitutional power change.

    The sanctions have left the land-locked country with minimal power supply as Nigeria, whose supply accounts for 70 percent of Niger’s electricity, has cut off power supply to the country in line with the ECOWAS sanctions.

    In Niger’s capital Niamey and many other cities, people are struggling to cope with the constant and long-term power outage, and streets and neighbourhoods are getting used to being plunged into darkness for hours.

    “We used to work from 8 am to midnight, but now it’s impossible. We have an average of one hour and 30 minutes of electricity a day and it’s very difficult to be productive in such conditions. Since Nigeria cut off the electricity, our sales have gone down. We try to work with a generator, but we can’t use it for long hours because it’s expensive since we have to buy fuel regularly,” said one of the tailors in Niamey.

    “The power cuts are affecting our work. We must finish audio edits but I can’t do it. I’m suffering and so are the artists,” said an editor.

    In addition to the impacts to daily life, people are also worried about what the impact of the power outages to the country’s economy.

    “People are forced to buy torches, generators, and so on. But in order to use them they have to buy batteries, fuel and maintenance. These are unforeseen expenses that will affect the purchasing power of the population. This can cause inflation at the level of economic agents This situation is disastrous because electricity is a cross-cutting product used in almost all economic activities,” said one of the residents.

    On July 26, the military in Niger detained President Mohamed Bazoum and chose Abdourahamane Tchiani, former leader of the country’s presidential guard, to lead the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a governing body established by the soldiers after the coup, which has been since exercising legislative and executive authority.

    The coup, the third of its kind in West Africa in three years, has drawn condemnation from many African countries, which view the unconstitutional change of power as a threat to stability and development on the continent

  • Just In: West African defence chiefs hold emergency meeting in Accra over Niger

    Just In: West African defence chiefs hold emergency meeting in Accra over Niger

    West African chiefs of staff decided to meet on Saturday following a summit that ordered the deployment of a “standby force” in the effort to resolve the Niger Republic crisis, regional military sources said.

    The proposed meeting of the ECOWAS military chiefs will take place in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, they said, according to AFP.

  • Niger coup: ECOWAS Parliament divided over military intervention as option

    Niger coup: ECOWAS Parliament divided over military intervention as option

    The ECOWAS Parliament was on Saturday divided over taking military action as an option aimed at tackling the political situation in Niger Republic and restoring civil rule there.

    Some members made called for actions that would nip in the bud military incursion into politics within the region, while others identified diplomacy and dialogue as the best approaches to tackling the crisis.

    No fewer than 22 parliamentarians participated in the virtual extraordinary meeting to discuss the political crisis in Niger.

    Some members who were against military intervention highlighted the economic woes that the people of Niger could experience if invaded.

    Ali Djibo, from Niger Republic said already at least 9,000 schools had been closed down owing to the crisis.

    “War will only compound the economic woes the peoples of the sub-region are already going through.

    “As we speak, over a thousand trucks, loaded with goods, are stranded at the border.

    “If a coup happened in Nigeria or Cote’d’Iviore tomorrow, where’s the ECOWAS going to mobilise troops to fight the Nigerian or Ivorian military? How many borders are we going to close?

    “We must also bear in mind that if we’re applying the ECOWAS treaty, it should be applicable to all.”

    Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (Rivers), ECOWAS must pay keen attention and treat the root causes of coups in ECOWAS countries

    Members of the ECOWAS Parliament making a case for military intervention in Niger said diplomacy had contributed in no small measure to the increase in the spate of military takeover of government in the West African sub-region.

    Contributing, Adebayo Balogun, posited that ECOWAS leaders were proposing military action to remove the junta. not clamouring for a fully-fledged war.

    He recalled that Niger was a signatory to ECOWAS’ revised protocol on non-military intervention.

    Also, Bashir Dawodu expressed the belief that the body should open itself up to the possibility of a military option and apply pressure on the putschists while exploring dialogue.