The coup in Niger came as no surprise to some analysts and political observers. As the only country in the G5 Sahel, along with Mauritania, not ruled by a military regime, Niger is somewhat isolated.
Add to that a mixture of instability. and corruption, analyst Garba Moussa says it’s was only a matter of time.
“Since February, there have been hints of a coup, but we do not know where it came from,” he explained. “Today we see that it is from within the presidential bodyguards. The rebels have captured the president. “So for other units, like the national guard and special forces, this is what they’ve been waiting to take power.”
Another possible cause, according to Moussa, is the pressure exerted on the capital, Niamey, which is more vulnerable to jihadist attacks.
“Of the three countries, Mali and Niger, our capital is much closer to unsafe areas such as Tilabéri and others.
“There is therefore pressure from residents or refugees in Niamey.
“We also have relatives who are forced to move from their permanent place of residence to places where they have no housing or are economically incapacitated, leading to the fatigue of the people said general.”
After Mali , Burkina Faso and Guinea, some say the coup is a symptom of democratic decline. But Moussa thinks that may not be the case, given the years of corruption and mismanagement that have been exposed.
Young people and rural areas are paying the price, he said.
“On the one hand, there are unemployed and desperate young people. On the other hand, there is a rural area of Niger that is forced to beg in the sub-region.
“So overall, there is simply a kind of elite that monopolizes economic power without thinking about redistributing income.
“So I think any change at any point in time should give us hope.”
