Niger Faces Growing Challenges Post-Coup as International Support Dwindles
- It has been one year since a coup occurred in Niger, leading to increased instability in the region.
- Reports indicate a rise in danger and desperation among the population as daily life has been significantly disrupted.
- The coup has far-reaching implications for regional security and humanitarian conditions.
ABUJA, Nigeria – One year after a military coup in Niger, the junta's leaders cited security and economic crises as justifications for their actions. As U.S. forces prepare to vacate a crucial drone base by September, the loss of international support, particularly from the European Union, which previously accounted for nearly 40% of Niger's budget, has left citizens grappling with rising costs of living. Local resident Ibrahim Amani expressed the dire situation, stating, “we are only looking for something to live on.” The junta, alongside military regimes in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, is distancing itself from traditional West African allies while seeking new partnerships, notably with Russia. However, experts warn that Russia's capacity to replace the security support previously provided by Western nations is limited. As a result, Niger's military is struggling with dwindling resources, exacerbating the insecurity that has plagued the region, with extremist groups increasingly targeting the country. In a recent government document, junta leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani outlined aspirations for a sovereign Niger that prioritizes resource control, good governance, and justice. However, the military government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, with Amnesty International reporting numerous arbitrary arrests over the past year. Meanwhile, former President Mohamed Bazoum remains in severe conditions of detention, with restricted access to the outside world, raising concerns about his well-being and the state of democracy in Niger.