Why a Coup in Niger Has the World’s Attention

In a region of Africa where authoritarianism has been rising, Niger seemed to be on a different path of democracy and partnership with the United States.

Declan Walsh, chief Africa correspondent for The Times, explains how a military coup has now put all of that in jeopardy and why Niger’s allies still think it’s possible to reverse that coup.

Background reading: 

[eastafricanist]

No solution is possible without the departure of France

[SimplySweetUniverse]

The daily should be ashamed. But I see there is no shame

[rosestone]

How many hostages get to call the US state department and pen an opinion piece in the Washington Post! 😳😳😳

[chrisbremner]

What's the strategy? Bribes and threats?

[ericknduwimana]

Invested on a guy instead of the people. Talk about the French stealing resource

[garymavindidze]

This is hurting my ears trying to listen to this BS. Stop lying and making this president out to be a Saint and really talk WHY this has happened. The people Niger/ African are sick and tired. They need their freedom and resources.

[blacknubiantv]

It appears from this conversation that Russia and China come to African countries with fair business practices while the west come to Africa with intention of pure exploitation. There is a cost to doing business and paying Russia and China fairly for their services is a fair trade - No??

[TawaniAnyangwe]

alQaeda in the Sahel is just the French forces
You are telling lies. The evidence from Mali shows that things are much better without the French

[Faiez-rhgm]

America wanted Russia out in the cold and Africa brought him in from the cold

[naturallyunruly]

Yall gonna purposefully put this out....wow

[marlonb]

Have these drones been involved in creating harm to Africans?

[Nguoiphuongnam]

My african friends, have look at us, Vietnamese and what we have done for our libety. Unity is strength. We could beat down french imperialisms, you can do it, too !

[lloydramberan]

West get out of this look at your place fix you live black & white go. Get out yes yes yes black. Men no your thing yes yes yes yes open eyes sea things so then go for it yes yes yes yes I like that

[Bat_Boy]

That’s not how Trump pronounces Niger. ☹️

[medicuswashington]

The Russian Wagner private military company brings change and hope to former colonized African nations. The wind of change blowing over the African continent is intensifying in speed.

[lasallsa]

BAZOUM MADE SOME MISTAKES THAT COULD'VE LED TO DISTRUST WITH THE ARMY:
- HE publicly stated recently that the jihadists are stronger than his own army;
- He liberated many militants since he came to power, for peace propoals, which could've been resented in the army;
- welcoming the French military after their outing from Mali was resented as a move to strip the country of its sovereignty.
Bazoum 's background also may have played against him. He was part of the "Arabo-Touareg" armed rébellion of the 90s against Central governments of Mali and Niger.

[aanchaallllllll]

2:17: 🌍 The recent military coup in Niger has global significance due to the country's democratic progress, partnership with the United States, and efforts to combat Islamic militancy in the Sahel region.
5:58: 🔥 President of Niger is held hostage in a coup, endangering the partnership with Western allies.
9:48: ⚠ A coup in Niger has led to a high-stakes global standoff between coup leaders and international powers.
14:05: 🌍 The coup in Niger could benefit Islamic militants, while the US and France may pull out their troops and drones, potentially leaving the country vulnerable to terrorism.
18:16: 🌍 Russia has successfully positioned itself as a torch of anti-establishment and anti-western sentiment in poor and troubled African countries, potentially causing disruption and reducing Western influence.
22:22: 🌍 The spread of militancy in Niger is increasing the conditions for coups and violence, putting the country's population at risk.
Recap by Tammy AI

[Faiez-rhgm]

America wanted Russia out in the cold and Africa brought him in from the cold