The recent military coup in the Republic of Niger and the confusion trailing it has raised concerns over the resurgence of coups in West Africa and how to halt the recurring military intervention in politics of the sub-region. Undoubtedly, the Niger coup is a huge setback to democracy and constitutional order in the sub-region and Africa. Coming at a time the continent is grappling with the Sudan crisis, the Niger debacle creates more challenges to Africa and its people. In the last 18 months, soldiers have struck and taken over power in Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Although military intervention in politics is no longer fashionable, it is fast becoming the norm in West Africa due to bad governance, corruption and mismanagement of diversity. At times, some ambitious soldiers can take over power based on flimsy excuses.  Despite pleas from the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore President Mohammed Bazoum to power, the coupists led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani had remained adamant. It appears that Gen. Tchiani is not yet ready to relinquish power so soon. He claimed that the coup was well intended and that the plotters struck to avert an imminent threat that would have affected Niger and Nigeria.

To restore constitutional order in Niger Republic, the ECOWAS has imposed more economic sanctions against the military junta and a possible military action as the last option. The African Union (AU) and United States (US) have equally spoken forcefully against the coup and its leaders and the urgent need to restore democracy in Niger. 

The strategy to be adopted in restoring constitutionality in the embattled republic has been an issue of contention among member states of ECOWAS. At its latest extraordinary summit on Niger crisis in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS ordered the deployment of its standby force to restore democracy in the embattled nation. However, some members of the ECOWAS parliament are opposed to the deployment of force. Rather, they opted for dialogue and the deployment of diplomacy in resolving the matter.

There is no doubt that the ugly development in Niger is not good for the socio-economic development of West Africa. Military rule is still an aberration in politics. Soldiers are never trained for democratic governance.  Many Africans still believe that democratic government is still the best form of government, no matter its imperfections. A return to constitutional democracy in Niger and other West African countries under military rule remains one of the best ways to halt military coups in the region. Another way is to ensure good governance in the region.

We urge leaders of the ECOWAS to use diplomacy in its effort to restore democracy in Niger Republic. The use of war to restore democracy in Niger will have dire consequences for Niger and other countries in the sub-region. The situation in Niger is already complicated. The impact of the no-fly zone order imposed by the military junta in Niger is already affecting air travel in West Africa. Further punitive measures against the regime may worsen the situation.

It is obvious that any military action against the coupists will hurt ordinary citizens the more. Any war in Niger will deleteriously affect the seven northern states that share border with Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno. Moreover, ECOWAS members are divided over the use of war to resolve the Niger crisis. Already, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, have warned that a strike on Niger is an aggression against them.

Beyond sanctions, the antidote to military coups in West Africa is good governance. It is high time African countries embraced multi-party democracy and play by the rules. Transparency in governance is the panacea to military takeover of power. Disaffection among the people is often an invitation to coups and military interventions in politics.

We condemn the coup in Niger. Coup is never a solution to bad governance. The rising wave of coups in the sub-region is unacceptable. The soldiers should limit themselves to their constitutional roles of protecting their countries against external aggression. Whatever legitimate steps that can lead to the resolution of the quagmire in Niger at minimal cost to sub-region, should be taken.

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