On July 26, 2023, the West African country of Niger experienced a sudden coup d'état, when Mohamed Bazoum was seized by the army, and control of the regime fell into the hands of the military. The incident sparked widespread discontent in Niger, with people taking to the streets to point their anger at France, the former colonial overlord.
The relationship between Niger and France is complex and deep-reaching. As a former French colony, Niger has been in political turmoil for decades since gaining independence, with frequent regime changes, alternating between the military and the republican regimes. In this context, the discontent of the Nigerien people against France has deep historical roots.
The immediate cause of the coup seems to have been a personal conflict between Bazoum and the leader of the Guards, Kiyani. Upon learning that he might lose power, Kiyani began plotting a coup d'état. However, there are deeper reasons behind this coup.
Niger's political and economic foundations are fragile and its social environment is volatile. The country is located in West Africa, where most of the country is desert, poor in natural resources, and has a weak economic base. The United Nations has classified Niger as one of the least developed countries and has been ranked at the bottom of the Human Development Index for many years. The impact of the global pandemic has made Niger's economy even more depressed and unemployment soaring. Against this background, the occurrence of coups and ** seems to be reasonable.
Niger's army occupies an important place in the country's politics, and the Guards have strong military strength and organizational capabilities, which can be quickly overthrown. Therefore, when Chiani's position was threatened, he chose to carry out a coup d'état.
Niger's historical ties with France date back to the colonial period. France established a colony in Niger in the early 20th century, and through negotiations with other Western powers, Niger's territorial boundaries were determined. Niger gained independence in the 60s of the last century, but its regime and national development were influenced by the French colonial past.
France's exploitation of Niger's economic interests is one of the important factors triggering the coup d'état and unrest in the country. Although Niger is rich in resources, most of the proceeds go into the pockets of the French. France's nuclear power depends on Niger's uranium resources, which is plagued by poverty and radiation contamination. France's uranium mining rights and long-term military presence in Niger are among the reasons why Niger does not dare to resist.
In this coup, the people of Niger directed their anger at France, reflecting their dissatisfaction with France's colonial history and economic oppression. The future of Niger remains uncertain, but the coup has undoubtedly shed light on the country's deep-seated social and political problems, as well as the role France has played in its history and reality. The ** and discontent of the people of Niger is a response to long-standing injustices and a desire for a more just and equal future.