The reasons behind the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger last week, as stated by the coup leaders, included the ongoing insecurity within the country. However, it has been revealed that a rift had been developing between certain factions in the military and the president.
Olayinka Ajala, a scholar from Leeds Beckett University, explained that the power struggle also had ethnic undertones, and there was a growing resentment towards the presence of foreign military forces in Niger.
President Bazoum, belonging to the ethnic Arab minority in the country, was perceived by some as having foreign origins, which didn’t sit well with the predominantly larger ethnic groups within the military, according to Dr. Ajala.
Moreover, the relocation of French troops to Niger after their expulsion from Mali the previous year, coupled with the establishment of US and French drone bases in the country, created increasing discontent among certain sections of the Nigerien military, as highlighted by Dr. Ajala.
There were reports suggesting Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the leader of the coup, was potentially about to be replaced by Mr. Bazoum as the head of the presidential guard as part of security reforms. In a preemptive move, Gen Tchiani orchestrated the removal of the president. However, it’s important to note that these rumors remain unconfirmed, as emphasized by Mr. Kampmann.
