Director, Faculty of Academic Affairs and research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Prof Kwesi Aning, has expressed the need for the military in Niger who have staged a coup in the country to create a narrative that taps into the frustrations of Niger citizens.

According to him, the military should seize the takeover of the country as an opportunity to amplify the needs and address the difficulties and economic hardships encountered by citizens.

“I think the military needs to create a narrative that taps into the frustrations of people on the streets of Niger. It’s the same military that is undertaking the counterterrorism initiatives they failed, so they reconvened to know what they think they can do differently. I think they’ve also mentioned corruption, worsening economic situations, manipulation of the army for political ends.
“So, there are a multiplicity of things that led to what is happening, but the tipping point relates to the battle between Issifu and Bazoum, and Bazoum’s desire to stamp his authority on the government by replacing some of the chiefs of the army…”
Prof Kwesi Aning

Prof Aning stated that the fascinating thing with Niger is that the underpinnings of what led to the coup is rampant on the African continent and subregion. He noted that this is seen in the evacuations of nationals of other countries from Niger, as embassies are being attacked and burnt.

“So, things are beginning to get out of hand, and they will continue to get progressively worse until there’s a process of negotiations with the new people who are in charge.”
Prof Kwesi Aning

Commenting on ECOWAS contemplation of military action and sanctions in Niger, Prof Aning indicated that when an entity is a member of a multilateral group and signs on to the normative frameworks, there’s an almost near automaticity in terms of how that organization responds and reacts when the rules to which all member states have voluntarily signed on to are flouted. With this, he explained that there are two parallel processes now, as the heads of states have triggered an emergency meeting and made some decisions.

“I think there will be some suggestions for military diplomacy while the political one is going on about getting them to the table to agree to some transitional period of sorts. The junta was given one week, and they are flying in Abuja today, the meeting will take place tomorrow, meaning that they will bring some suggestions and conclusions…
“Now, when multilateral institutions seek to intimidate their members to tow a particular line and change their behavior, and they are not able to fulfill what they have said they would do, that leads to a credibility gap…”
Prof Kwesi Aning

Possibilities of recurring coups in Africa

With respect to the growing trend of coups in Africa, Prof Aning highlighted that there’s bound to be a “couple more of these upheavals”. He emphasized that his forecasting for the past three years has been spot on, and that he has no doubt at all looking at the variables and vulnerabilities in several countries that the continent will experience some more coups.

“… I mean there’s doubt at all in my mind… In terms of the Ghanaians in Niger, they should keep a low profile – don’t inflame passion by getting into arguments, and I know that our research department that has a lot of experience in working behind enemy lines and extracting our people will get them out very safely.”
Prof Kwesi Aning

On his part, International Human Rights and Public International lawyer, Prof Kojo Appaigyei-Atua, revealed that the coup in Niger is a dismaying trend and it’s something that experts have predicted. He admitted that while it’s not a surprise, it’s also very worrying because when caution is expressed, political leadership and security apparatus are expected to respond and ask questions about the forms of governance that the continent is in and respond to some of the concerns or underlying factors which are causing this political instability and coup d’états.

“But so far, you don’t see any positive, constructive reaction to the problems we have been mentioning. For that matter, it’s not surprising and if we are not careful, the trend will continue because of the fact that the military always want to tap into the people’s grievances and look at some existential threats they would then use as a basis to come into power…”
Prof Kojo Appaigyei-Atua