On December 10th, West African leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (E.C.O.W.A.S.) met in Abuja to discuss their regions, which are seeing a deep political crisis through growing threats of jihadist attacks from Boko Haram, or “Niger’s Taliban,” in Sahel and growing criticism of leadership of neighboring countries.
On July 26 of this year, a coup occurred in Niger that oversaw the detainment of Niger’s president Mohamed Bazoum and the proclamation of Presidential Guard Commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the country’s new military junta leader. Government coups have been nothing new in West Africa, with the coup being one of many in the Sahel region. The unconstitutional change of government has been widely condemned by the international community, with sanctions and trade barriers being issued and the threat of military intervention from E.C.O.W.A.S. The military regime in Niger argues that the sanctions pose an already existing threat to the poor, and demand they are dismantled for humanitarian purposes.
With the overthrowing of the Niger government and the implementation of an unconstitutional regime, there have also been growing threats of Boko Haram’s advancement in the region. Past attempts have been made by the international community to limit the spread of Boko Haram, such as by France sending troops, but have been demanded by the military coup to cease. With sanctions already being issued that have weakened the economy of Niger, the threat of the resurgence of Boko Haram and the potential humanitarian crisis that could emerge remain growing threats to the nation.
During the meeting in Abuja, discussions from neighboring countries involved the negotiation with Niger’s military leadership to transition into a democratic rule, under the premise of easing sanctions through conditions. Leaders from Togo, Sierra Leone, and Benin have already agreed to be “on a short transition roadmap” moving “towards the speedy restoration of constitutional order.” According to Chairman of E.C.O.W.A.S. and president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “By providing good governance that tackles the challenges of poverty, inequality and other concerns of the people, we would have succeeded in addressing some of the root causes of military intervention in civilian processes in our region.”
The president adds that members of E.C.O.W.A.S. must be prepared to provide the military junta with any technical and material support needed to achieve these goals, while also establishing a monitoring mechanism to ensure a short and effective transition. Furthermore, the regional body adds that if Niger’s junta refuse to comply with these terms, sanctions and trade barriers will remain in place, and the threat of force may be applied to enforce a democratic regime.
In regards to Bazoum’s release and reinstatement as president of Niger, through the recognition of the junta from E.C.O.W.A.S., the chances of him being reinstated are extremely low. Bazoum is currently under house arrest, but the military junta allows him to travel as a form of forwarding talks of lifting sanctions. E.C.O.W.A.S. leaders continue to demand the immediate release of the former president, but these demands have fallen on the deaf ears of the military junta.
