On 26th July, 2023, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane and some members of the military in a viral video on social media claimed to have seized power in Niger. President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum was reportedly captured by members of the presidential guard on Wednesday, causing fear and panic in the already politically volatile region of Africa that has been plagued by military coups and violent extremism. It is reported that military trucks have closed off the presidential palace and nearby ministries.
President Mohamed Bazoum has shown a reluctance to accede to the plotters' demands and cede control. In a statement from the presidency, the national army threatened that it was ready to attack the guards if they did not rescind their decision.
It has remained unclear why there was a revolt but analysts say the rising costs of living and perceptions of government incompetence and corruption may have driven this move.
Niger, until recent years, has had a long history of military coups since its independence from France in 1960. This attempted coup d'etat according to the AU sets Niger several paces behind, in the strive for democratic progress and legitimacy of power.
The situation in Niger is not an isolated one, it marks the 9th coup or attempted power grab in just over three years in West and Central Africa regions. These two regions have over the last decade been tagged as coup belts as a result of persistent insecurity and corruption that have led to dissatisfaction amongst the general populace, thus leading to an increase in the number of coups and attempted coups. It is a stark reminder of the fragility of the democracy and stability of some African states.
The coup undermines the African Union's efforts to foster good governance practices as well as democratic norms. As an organization that firmly advocates for democracy and socio-economic development continent-wide, we strongly condemn the actions of the coup makers. CDS AFRICA appeals to the African Union, ECOWAS and all stakeholders to stand united in condemning such actions and support the swift restoration of democratic governance in Niger.
Furthermore, this incident highlights the need for continued efforts to promote democratic values and strengthen democratic institutions across Africa and the world. Only through collective commitment to democracy and peace can we ensure that such destabilizing events do not occur.
