We must not be mistaken about the motives of the junta which seized power in Niger on 26 July. No, General Tiani and his henchmen did not jump on the presidential palace in Niamey to restore the country’s security. Quite simply because, contrary to what they claim, Mohamed Bazoum, the head of state democratically elected in 2021, had succeeded during his mandate in bringing back the beginnings of stability in this country of the Sahel subjected many crises on its borders. Thanks to the efficiency of its army, thanks also to the support of France. No, the putschist in chief, former head of the presidential guard, did not act on the orders of Moscow or any other foreign power either. Nor has it received the support of a large public opinion, contrary to what widely relayed images suggest.
The truth is that this African state, twice the size of France and among the poorest in the world, is about to fall under the regulated control of a braided clique in search of prebends, which the ousted president precisely wanted to clean up . The corruption of officers is unfortunately not new: in 2020, an audit estimated that 115 million euros in embezzlement went into the pockets of Nigerien soldiers between 2017 and 2019.
Overthrowing this squad of mafia generals would be in the public interest, as demanded by the Economic Community of West African States. Not only for the 27 million Nigeriens, but also for Niger’s neighbours, who fear a domino effect more than ever.