After conducting a coup, Niger's mutinous military named Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani as the new leader of the country. The troops detained President Mohamed Bazoum and suspended the constitution two years ago, which marked Niger's first peaceful transfer of power. The nation's war against Islamists and the possibility of more Russian involvement in West Africa have come under scrutiny as a result of the coup.
For the West, Niger is a key ally in the Sahel region's fight against extremist organisations affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State. The United States and other European nations have provided military training, and France has 1,500 soldiers in the country. International condemnation of the coup has prompted the West African regional organisation ECOWAS to call an emergency session to handle the situation.
The necessity to restore constitutional democracy was discussed in private by the UN Security Council. Fears exist that Niger may follow Mali and Burkina Faso in turning to the Russian private military company Wagner for assistance. The coup poses a risk to the Sahel region's relationship with the rest of the world.
Niger has received major military support from the United States, and Vice President Kamala Harris has said that cooperation is conditioned on Niger's dedication to democratic ideals. Additionally, the European Union has started a military training mission in Niger. As talks between military factions continue, the situation in Niger is still difficult. The coup overthrew one of the last democratically elected governments in the Sahel, which also brought attention to the long-standing conflicts between Niger's civilian and military leadership.
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