- European Union Suspends Security Cooperation with Niger Amid Military Rebellion
- US Expresses Support for Ousted President as Niger’s New Leader Proclaims Himself
- Concerns Rise Over New Leader’s Alignment and Calls for Return to Base by African Union
The European Union has suspended all security cooperation with Niger following the country’s military rebellion.
It comes shortly after the United States declared its “unwavering support” for ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, a vital Western ally in the fight against Islamist extremists.
General Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of the presidential guards, proclaimed himself Niger’s new leader on Friday.
He claimed that insecurity, economic difficulties, and corruption prompted him to assume power.
However, there are now concerns in the West regarding the countries with which the new leader will align.
Since their respective coups, Niger’s neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali have both turned towards Russia.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell joined the United States and France in refusing to recognize the coup leaders and announced the suspension of security cooperation and budgetary assistance indefinitely.
Also on Saturday, the African Union demanded that the army of Niger return to its base within 15 days.
Mohamed Bazoum, the first elected leader to succeed another in Niger since the country’s independence in 1960, is believed to be in excellent health and is still being held captive by his guards.
On Friday evening, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned those holding him that “hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance” was in jeopardy.
The leader of the Russian Wagner mercenary organization, however, has reportedly described the coup as a success.
Yevgeny Prigozhin was quoted on a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel as saying, “What happened in Niger is nothing other than the struggle of the people of Niger with their colonizers.”
“With colonizers who are attempting to impose their way of life on them and keep them in the condition Africa was in hundreds of years ago,”
In addition, he stated, “Today, this is effectively gaining their independence.”
Wagner is rumored to have thousands of combatants in countries such as the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali. Where it has lucrative business interests and strengthens Russia’s diplomatic and economic ties.
In several African nations, Wagner fighters have been accused of committing rampant human rights violations.
In 2018, former President Issoufou promoted Gen Tchiani, 62, to general.
He appeared in court to deny involvement in a 2015 coup attempt against the former president.
General Tchiani stated on Friday that his junta seized power in Niger due to insecurity, economic difficulties, and corruption.
He also addressed Niger’s international allies, stating that the junta would uphold the country’s international obligations and human rights.
However, the junta has harsh words for their opponents, accusing members of the overthrown government who have sought refuge in foreign embassies of conspiring against them.
They predicted that any such effort would result in violence, which has thus far been avoided.
The markets and businesses in the capital Niamey have largely reopened, and civil servants have been told to return home.
Some Nigeriens think that the level of insecurity in the country did not warrant a rebellion. Others, however, have backed the junta.
Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso’s military coups preceded Niger’s.
It is also a severe setback to the leadership of the regional organization Ecowas. Two weeks ago, the chairman of the bloc, President Bola Tinubu, warned that terrorism and the emergent pattern of coups in West Africa had reached alarming levels and demanded immediate, coordinated action.
Niger has had five coups since independence from France in 1960, including unsuccessful attempts.
