Coup in Niger

Niger has stood alone as a U.S. partner in the Sahel, remaining a democratic voice in the African region primarily controlled by terrorist regimes. Neighboring states, including Nigeria and Chad, are currently under the control of the extremist organizations al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Niger, once a promise of early democracy, fell to a coup on July 26, 2023. Niger's democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown by General Abdourahmane Tchiani. In the months following this change in government, President Biden held off on declaring these events as a coup until October 10, 2023, when the United States government released a statement announcing the end of its efforts to reinstate Niger’s democratically elected leader. 

In the months between the coup and Biden’s official statement, the American government held off on officially labeling the removal of Bazoum as a coup because of the associated policy implications. Formally declaring the end of Niger’s democracy resulted in the United States and France halting their foreign assistance programs in Niger. 

While the U.S. government has stated that humanitarian aid will continue to flow to Niger, the lack of further funding and civilian assistance from the United States reaffirms America’s precedent of largely ignoring humanitarian crises in non-democratic, extremist states.   

When Nigeria served as a base for Pentagon operations, Niger’s citizens received aid and military services from the United States. However, with the rise of a jihadi regime, the United States sees no future economic or political benefit from the region and is abandoning its investment in Niger. 

Niger is a country facing extreme poverty, extreme effects from climate change, and desertification. Niger’s population is vulnerable. Previous United States investments provided stability and opportunities through aid and military training. The decision of the American government to halt further support from being sent to Niger places additional strain on a population at risk of seeing their fundamental rights and freedoms revoked.

The civilians elected Bazoum with the hope of progress and development. The coup declaration has forcibly removed their hope and elected leader from them. Niger’s humanitarian conditions have worsened since the coup: borders have been shut down, markets are inflating, food shortages are prevalent, and trade is near nonexistent. 

Niger is a country dependent upon humanitarian assistance and foreign aid. However, since an extremist regime now controls them instead of an agreeable democracy, the civilians' struggles have become less worthy of investment from the American government.