You’ve heard what other African nations, including from the ECOWAS bloc, and even non-African countries and blocs like France and the EU, think about the recent seizure of power in Niger. But what about the people of the country? Passions are high in the streets of Niamey right now. WATCH as locals share their reactions to what’s happened and hopes for what comes next.

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NIGER COUP: THE FALLOUT

A lot has happened since Niger’s coup last week. African nations under the ECOWAS umbrella have imposed sanctions and even threatened military action, while Niamey has banned uranium and gold exports to France. The coup is seen by many Nigeriens as an opportunity to end the near-plunder of their nation’s resources by former colonisers, and to partner with other regional powers who have similarly sought radical change. Will Niger, like Burkina Faso and Mali, now also expel foreign troops from its territory? Here’s our roundup of the coup’s fallout so far.

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NIGERIANS DISMAYED BY
ECOWAS THREAT

West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc of nations is threatening war against Niger if coup leaders there don’t release and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum within 7 days. The bloc has already fired off sanctions against the poverty-hit country. Nigeriens shared their views on how ECOWAS is behaving towards their homeland.

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HAITI’S RESISTANCE TO US

On July 28, 1915, the US began a 19-year occupation of Haiti, a dark and painful chapter in the nation's history. The US-backed dictatorship of President Michel Oreste was widely hated by Haitians, who saw him as a traitor. Throughout the occupation, Haitians resisted and defended their sovereignty and their cultural heritage against US attempts to erase it. Their resistance had broader significance, inspiring anti-colonial movements in Latin America and Africa. Today, the US occupation remains a symbol of Haitian resistance and patriotism, commemorated annually on July 28th as Haitians remember and honour the courage of their ancestors who fought for freedom and dignity.

African Stream was on the ground in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and joined the annual commemorations to find out how locals feel about the U.S's historic and current role in their country.

Collaborate with Yvonne

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France has been left reeling by the military takeover of Niger. The African state was a strategic ally for the West and Paris, but the coup has changed all that.

However, not everyone is falling for Paris’ concern about the need to protect ‘democracy’ in Niamey.
This cartoon by controversial French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo captures what many are thinking.

It’s more about France’s dependency on Niger’s uranium to power its nuclear energy plants.
Without it, the lights go out in thousands of French homes.
Meanwhile, in Niger, only 14.3% of people have access to electricity. And rampant exploitation of its uranium has caused environmental devastation and done little to lift the country out of poverty.

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Continued- France has been left reeling by the military takeover of Niger

Without it, the lights go out in thousands of French homes.
Meanwhile, in Niger, only 14.3% of people have access to electricity. And rampant exploitation of its uranium has caused environmental devastation and done little to lift the country out of poverty.

On top of that, the presence of French and US soldiers in the region has failed to counter an insurgency that’s wreaked havoc.

Maybe that explains why the French embassy was targeted by angry demonstrators following the coup.
And maybe that helps you understand the cartoon.

For those who don’t speak French, it reads: ‘France targeted. If at least it was uranium.'

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CONAKRY SLAMS NIGER SANCTIONS

Guinea Conakry has condemned ECOWAS for imposing sanctions against Niger over the coup there - saying they will only create more suffering in the poverty-hit nation. Similar condemnations have come from Mali and Burkina Faso. Guinea had its own coup in 2021 and has also faced ECOWAS sanctions.

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ECOWAS ‘ANTI-COUP UNIT’ SLAMMED

Threats of force against Niger by the ECOWAS umbrella of West African nations have been met with derision and scorn in The Gambia. Mama Kandeh, the founding leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress, has branded any deployment of a “coup d'état unit” as completely self-serving. Her urges bloc members to focus on getting their own houses in order rather than go meddling in other nations’ affairs.

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SENEGAL BANS PARTY SPARKS DEADLY DEMOS

There’ve been further deadly protests in Senegal after the main opposition party was banned and its leader handed more criminal charges.

PASTEF’s Ousmane Sonko is accused of fomenting an insurrection and other crimes.
However, his supporters say he’s the victim of a witch-hunt ahead of next year’s presidential race.
They believe the government is scared of growing anti-French sentiment sweeping across parts of the Sahel.

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NIGER: FRANCE TO INTERVENE

It’s claimed Niger’s toppled government has authorised France to use force to free ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. He’s been held hostage at the presidential palace since the country’s army seized power last week.

In a televised statement, one of the military chiefs behind the coup alleged Niger’s former foreign minister has authorised Paris to intervene. France has not commented on the claim, but has 1500 troops in the country and insists Bazoum is Niger’s legitimate leader.

Paris also backs ECOWAS sanctions and an ultimatum to use force to “restore constitutional order” if Bazoum is not re-instated within a week. If that happens, Mali and Burkina Faso’s leaders says they’ll step in to back Niger’s army.

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Continued - NIGER: FRANCE TO INTERVENE

Meanwhile, the French embassy in Niamey has announced plans to evacuate its nationals, fuelling speculation armed conflict could be imminent.

It follows President Macron's warning France would respond “immediately” to any violence against French interests after the embassy was targeted by demonstrators.

Tensions are rising sharply but locals are hopeful for a future free from French subjugation after Niger announced a halt of exports of gold and uranium to France.

The French are heavily dependent on the latter to power its nuclear energy plants. However, despite exploiting Niger’s resources for decades, the West African country remains the world’s second poorest nation.

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AFWERKI TO PUTIN: END DOLLAR, END SANCTIONS

The West is printing money and weaponising it to sanction the rest of the world - says Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki. During a recent meeting with his Russian counterpart, he called for a new financial architecture that’s not controlled by the dollar, adding that the era of sanctions was coming to an end.

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