Anti-coup movement emerges in Niger, risk of internal conflict

Reuters on August 9 quoted an announcement by Mr. Rhissa Ag Boula, a former rebel leader in Niger, saying that he had established the Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR) to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted on July 26 and has been detained at his residence since then.

In the statement, Mr. Ag Boula said that Niger was the victim of a tragedy orchestrated by those responsible for protecting the country. The statement said that the CRR would use any means necessary to prevent the military from denying the Nigerien people their right to free choice.

Xuất hiện phong trào chống đảo chính tại Niger, nguy cơ xung đột nội bộ - Ảnh 1. — General Abdourahmane Tiani (second from right), who was declared the new leader of the Niger government by the coup group

Mr. Ag Boula played a leading role in the Tuaregs' insurgency in Niger's northern desert region in the 1990s and 2000s. His forces later merged with the government under President Mahamadou Issoufou, Mr. Bazoum's predecessor.

The Tuaregs are believed to control trade and politics in much of the north. Mr Ag Boula's statement may have worried coup leaders because of his influence among the Tuaregs.

According to the announcement, the CRR supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and any international actors seeking to end military rule in Niger. The CRR also stated that it is ready to carry out any ECOWAS mandate. A CRR member said that many political figures in Niger have joined the council but cannot be made public for security reasons.

Niger unfazed by West African coalition ultimatum

Mr. Ag Boula's challenge raises the possibility of internal conflict in Niger. The coup group in Niger has rejected diplomatic efforts from Africa, the United States and the United Nations. Meanwhile, the military governments of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso support the coup and call on the United Nations and the African Union to prevent outside military intervention in Niger.

ECOWAS leaders are expected to attend a discussion in the Nigerian capital Abuja on August 10 on the situation in Niger and the possibility of using force to restore constitutional order.

Niger has closed its airspace over concerns of interference and on Monday accused French soldiers of carrying out a destabilizing plan. The country hosts US, French, German and Italian troops under an agreement with Mr. Bazoum’s government. A French military plane was also accused of deliberately violating Niger’s airspace on the morning of August 9.

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