Niger’s military junta has threatened to kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if neighboring countries attempt any military intervention to restore his rule, according to top US diplomat Victoria Nuland who met with junta leaders. The threat was made during Nuland’s visit to the country this week, a Western military official confirmed. Analysts say the junta is speaking from a position of strength and advantage, making it difficult to negotiate a peaceful solution.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc has been trying to find a solution to the crisis, but support for a military intervention is fading. Nine of the 11 heads of state expected to attend a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, were present, including the presidents of Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone. However, the junta has defied the bloc’s deadline to reinstate Bazoum, and ECOWAS is now running out of options.
The junta has imposed harsh economic and travel sanctions on Niger, which is affecting the country’s population. Power cuts are frequent in the capital city Niamey, and many businesses are struggling to operate. Nevertheless, some Nigeriens support the junta, citing the need for change in the country’s leadership.
President Mohamed Bazoum (Via Mohamed Bazoum/Twitter)
Western nations are scrambling to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, but the main parties’ positions are far apart. The International Crisis Group says that if dialogue is to succeed, each side will have to make concessions, which they’ve so far refused to do. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of the approach.
Meanwhile, Russia is trying to leverage the opportunity to gain a stronger foothold in the region. The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been accused of committing human rights abuses in other African countries and is believed to be operating in Niger. Russia’s government and Wagner did not respond to requests for comment. Western nations are concerned about Russia’s growing influence in the region and are trying to avoid it.
As the situation remains volatile, the international community is waiting to see how the crisis will unfold.
