The African Union (AU) met on Monday to discuss the ongoing crisis in Niger, where the leaders who seized power after a coup are showing defiance while also considering diplomatic options for a solution.
The AU’s Peace & Security Council convened to receive updates about the situation in Niger and efforts to address it. The meeting took place at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Key participants included Moussa Faki Mahamat, the head of the AU Commission, representatives from Niger, and members of the West African bloc ECOWAS.
President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected in 2021, was overthrown on July 26 by his own presidential guard. This event has sent shockwaves across West Africa, where countries like Mali and Burkina Faso have also faced military takeovers amid jihadist insurgency.
In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Niger and approved the potential deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order. However, uncertainties remain regarding the feasibility and internal divisions within ECOWAS.
The coup leaders have sent mixed signals, expressing openness to diplomatic efforts while also claiming to have evidence to prosecute Bazoum for high treason.
Amid the crisis, Niger’s newly appointed prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, stated the country’s determination to overcome the challenges posed by ECOWAS’s sanctions.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation, especially given Niger’s already precarious socio-economic conditions and its historical ties with neighboring countries.
Niger’s instability is a significant concern for the region, with the country being one of the world’s poorest and most turbulent nations. President Bazoum’s removal marks a setback for both French and US strategies in the Sahel, impacting anti-jihadist operations.
France had shifted its focus to Niger after withdrawing from Mali and Burkina Faso due to conflicts with their military regimes. As of now, the situation remains complex and uncertain, with potential implications for the wider West African region.
