Niger Military Council Takes Control and Name Tiani

 

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Niger Military Council Takes Control and Name Tiani as New Leader amid Regional Concerns

A coup in Niger has led to the declaration of General Abdourahamane Tiani as the new head of state, raising alarm in a region grappling with instability and insurgency. 

The upheaval marks the seventh military takeover in West and Central Africa in less than three years, highlighting the precarious security situation. 

General Tiani, formerly head of the presidential guard, shut President Mohamed Bazoum inside the palace, creating confusion over who was in control. 

He now leads the newly formed military body, the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP), which has suspended the constitution and dissolved all government institutions, assuming legislative and executive powers with no specified timelines for the return of constitutional order. 

The coup has triggered reactions from African countries, Western powers, regional, and international organizations, all expressing concern and demanding President Bazoum's release and the restoration of democracy. 

France, Niger's former colonial power, maintains its recognition of Bazoum as the legitimate leader.

Wagner Chief Welcomed Coup 

However, Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, despite leading a failed mutiny against the Russian army's top brass, welcomed the coup as an uprising against colonizers and offered his fighters' services to bring order. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the need for restoring constitutional order. 

Unstable Region

The situation in Niger has raised uncertainty in the military future of the country, which was previously perceived as the West's most stable ally in an unstable region. 

Niger shares borders with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, all of which have experienced coups in the last two years. 

France, Germany, Italy, and the United States have military presence in Niger for training and counter-insurgency missions. 

Additionally, Niger is a significant uranium producer, contributing to nuclear energy and medical treatment. 

Tiani Justified Coup

Like the military rulers in Mali and Burkina Faso, General Tiani justified the coup by citing the government's failure to contain the Islamist insurgency. 

Militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have been spreading throughout West Africa's Sahel region, with Niger relatively better in resisting their advances compared to Mali and Burkina Faso, where violence escalated after the military takeovers. 

Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, emphasized the dynamic nature of the situation and prioritized the safety of German soldiers in the region. 

Bazoum still Detained

President Bazoum has not made a statement since his pledge to protect democratic gains. 

He remains detained with his family in the presidential palace, and foreign leaders have confirmed contact with him. 

However, the situation remains tense, with General Tiani warning against foreign military intervention to prevent "the massacre of the Niger population and chaos." 

ECOWAS Emergency Summit

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold an emergency summit to address the situation. 

The regional bloc has faced challenges in persuading coup leaders to relinquish power in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. 

The European Union has threatened to cut budgetary support to Niger, and the United States' cooperation with the government is contingent on "democratic standards." 

Humanitarian Crisis and UN Aid

Despite the coup, the United Nations intends to continue delivering aid in Niger. 

Amid the political upheaval, Niger faces a humanitarian crisis, with over 4.3 million people in need of aid and more than 370,000 internally displaced persons. 

The country also hosts over 250,000 refugees, primarily from Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso. 

As regional and international actors respond to the crisis, the future remains uncertain for Niger, with implications for security, governance, and stability in the broader Sahel region.

(Courtesy: Reuters)