It’s time we all wake up to the systemic nonsense that continually plagues countries in Africa, and the West African country of Niger is showing us this. We have to lower the facade of Western help, and call it how it truly is-modern colonialism.
In Niger’s capital, Niamey, hundreds of civilians have flooded the streets in the past week cheering military general, Abdourahamane Tchiani, booing the French and praising Russia. These demonstrations have been happening in Niger since the military coup that occurred on Wednesday, July 26-which captured President Mohamed Bazoum, and gave rise to dissatisfied military generals.
The coup was staged by the Presidential Guard in Niger who now hold political power in the country as a military “junta.” Bazoum and his family have been restricted to the confines of his palace in the meantime.
The coup was a response to many negative perceptions of how the Niger government operates along the French. President Bazoum is rumored to be an official pushed into election by the French to serve their interests in the economy. Many military leaders were getting frustrated during Bazoum’s tenure and also the tenure of former president, Mahamadou Issoufou. People found the government to be “incompetent and corrupt” and detested the rising cost of living in a country that’s already poor.
French military units have been stationed in Niger over years to combat terrorist groups in the region such as al Qaeda-affiliated groups, ISIS and Boko Haram-which still continue to torment certain regions of the country.
The European Union, United Nations, France, United States and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have all responded to this coup in dismay. In a statement released by Bazoum himself while in hostage, it says:
“The United States, the African and European Unions, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been loud and clear: This coup must end, and the junta must free everyone they have unlawfully arrested.”
“The coup plotters falsely claim that they acted to protect Niger’s security. They allege that our war against jihadist terrorists is failing and that my economic and social governance, including partnerships with the United States and Europe, has hurt our country,” he added.
On Wednesday the spokesperson for the junta, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, made a public statement highlighting that the coup was set in place to “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”
Niger is that last ally to Western powers in the Central Sahel region. The country’s neighbors, Mali and Burkina Faso, had already staged coups and pushed the French military out of their regions. These countries-Mali especially-have also looked towards the aid of private Russian military organization, the Wagner Group-something that has been a great concern for-once again-the West.
These countries’ junta leaders have also expressed their opposition toward French occupation in their territories. Post coup interim Prime Minister in Mali, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, said in a statement that the French had “stabbed [Mali civilians] in the back with their “neocolonialist, condescending, paternalist and vengeful policies.” He then continued by saluting the help of Russia.
Last Sunday, ECOWAS warned the junta in Niger to reinstate Bazoum within a week to avoid military intervention. Since then, there has been a lot of civil unrest as sanctions have been imposed to block off borders and business. This has caused an even greater economic deficit in the country and also has separated civilians from their loved ones as there’s currently no way for families to get in contact with each other from across the border. The U.S. itself has invested a large sum of money into military forces sent to Niger, and have roughly 800 soldiers stationed there currently.
There has been a lot of push back from Niger’s neighboring countries who have promised to intervene if military actions are taken against the junta. Officials from Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria have all stated that they will not cooperate with any military actions in Niger done by ECOWAS, France, the U.S. or United Nations. Algeria, Mali and Burkina Faso are willing to go to war for Niger. This junta has also allegedly called on support from the Wagner Group.
A lot of Western media and leaders have highlighted Russian influence as being the main cause for these coups, but have neglected to note the local discontent with operations that really drove these actions on a domestic level.
Why Do the French Want to Stay?
There are three uranium mines in Niger that are 90% owned by the French, making the country one of France’s top suppliers. France is one of the world’s largest exporters of electricity, and makes billions of dollars from it.
Maybe I’m wrong-and please feel free to comment below if so-but it seems that time and time again, French officials in West Africa prove that old habits are too greedy to die as they continue to use the same sneaky colonialism tactics to maintain a sense of power over these countries.
Let’s look at this just from a general standpoint. For a moment, disregard all the other overlying factors that are being talked about with this coup from all sides.
Why is Niger so rich with natural resources-like insanely rich with resources-and they’re still one of the poorest nations in the world? Why does Niger have one of the world’s greatest uranium deposits, but no electricity, and yet at the same time this uranium is lighting up homes in France? Why is France making billions of dollars from Niger uranium and the country is still poor?
To me, the answer has to be modern colonialism.
At the end of the day it seems like a lot of Africans are tired of modern colonialism and rightfully so. Outside countries continue to try to reap the natural resources of Africa and it’s nothing but greed and political self-interest leading countries like France.
The French have relied faithfully on a model of taking a lot from and giving little to Niger and have disguised it as “help.” The new generation seemingly sees through the BS, and is tired of the manipulation.
The Hypocrisy
During an interview with TV5 Monde in November, French President Emmanuel Macron once again argued that these anti French sentiments are Russian propaganda.
“This perception is fed by others, it’s a political project,” Macron said. “I’m no fool, many influencers, sometimes speaking on your programmes, are paid by the Russians. We know them,” he said.
“You only have to look at what’s going on in the Central African Republic or elsewhere to see that the Russian project under way there, when France is pushed aside, is a project of predation,” he added.
The funny thing about colonialism is there’s always so much hypocrisy. Macron states this like the French haven’t had predatorial eyes on Africa since they first stepped foot on the land and established French colonies on a territory that wasn’t theirs to own in the first place.
Still, The Coup May Not Be The Most Perfect Solution
It’s still important to note that on the civilian side, not everyone is in support of the junta.
“It’s all a sham,” said Amad Hassane Boubacar, a professor at the University of Niamey in an interview with BBC. “They oppose foreign interference to restore constitutional order and legality. But on the contrary, they are ready to make a pact with Wagner and Russia to undermine the constitutional order … They are prepared for the country to go up in flames so that they can illegally maintain their position.”
While the unease continues in Niger, citizens are now looking to what could be next to come. As some prepare to be enlisted in a war, others contemplate what independence will truly look like in West Africa, and what is the best way to get there.
