US fails to find a solution to Niger crisis

Almost two weeks after the coup d'état in Niger, the United States is stepping up its efforts to find a solution to the crisis in the country, which is spreading throughout the region. To this end, Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland travelled to Niamey to meet with Niger's new military leaders. According to Nuland, talks with members of the military junta were "extremely frank and at times quite difficult", so no immediate progress has been made that could bring stability to the situation in the country.

As Nuland pointed out, the US side tried to put pressure on the new Niger authorities to achieve "a negotiated solution", although the Niger delegation, led by Brigadier General Moussa Salaou Barmou, was "very firm" about how it wants to proceed.

During the meeting, Nuland presented a "series of options" on how to reverse the situation after the coup, making clear the consequences in the event that power is not returned to President Mohamed Bazoum and the authorities strengthen relations with the Wagner Group as other countries in the region, such as Mali, have done. 

Traveled to Niamey to express grave concern at the undemocratic attempts to seize power and urged a return to constitutional order.

— Under Secretary Victoria Nuland (@UnderSecStateP) August 7, 2023

Another objective of Nuland's visit to the Nigerian capital was to meet with President Bazoum, now detained by the coup plotters. Since the military uprising, the international community has pressured the junta to release Bazoum, who was democratically elected in the 2021 elections and is a close ally of the West. However, according to the deputy secretary of state, her request to meet with Bazoum was not granted. Her request to meet with the country's new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, was also denied.

Despite the fact that Nuland's trip to Niamey ended without progress, the State Department is optimistic, assuring that the "opportunity remains open" and stressing the importance of diplomacy. On the other hand, Washington continues to demand the reinstatement of Bazoum and to condemn the actions of the new military junta. In order to increase pressure on the new authorities, the US has suspended more than $100 million in aid to the country as well as anti-terrorism training programmes in Niger.

Military junta appoints a new prime minister and closes airspace

As the region and the international community press Niger's new military leaders to return power to Bazoum, the military junta continues to restructure the country's institutions. Coup leader Abdourahamane Tchiani has appointed economist and former finance minister Mahamane Lamine Zeine as Niger's new Prime Minister. Lieutenant Colonel Habibou Assoumane has also been appointed as the new commander of Niger's Presidential Guard, the body that started the uprising against Bazoum.

Another measure taken by the new authorities in the last hours has been to close the airspace in order to avoid a military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The ultimatum given by the African bloc to the coup leaders to return Bazoum to power expired on Sunday. ECOWAS even raised the possibility of military intervention in the country, a plan that not all ECOWAS and regional countries support.  

Mali and Burkina Faso, both led by pro-Russian military juntas that came to power after coups, have expressed their support for the new authorities in the country, saying that any intervention in Niger will be seen as a declaration of war against them. Guinea and neighbouring Algeria, which is not a member of ECOWAS, have also spoken out against the use of force, AP reports. On the other hand, the Nigerian Senate has rejected the invasion plan, urging President Bola Tinubu, the current leader of the bloc, to seek other options that do not involve the use of force. In contrast, countries such as Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire have expressed their support for ECOWAS in restoring order in Niger.  

With the aim of seeking a solution to the current crisis in Niger, ECOWAS leaders will meet next Thursday in a new extraordinary summit to address the latest developments in the country.

Coordinator for the Americas: José Antonio Sierra.