Unrest in Niger after military officers detained President Mohamed Bazoum: lessons for social work and development globally

The Nigerien (not Nigerian) presidential guard detained the president and announced the dissolution of government last month. The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland, made up of military officers, is now in charge. Several reasons have been cited for the ongoing unrest in Niger, depending on who the source is. African sources on this story tend to be balanced, reliable and realistic. The most informative analysis was provided by Professor Everisto Benyera of University South Africa, in an interview with South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). He said the situation was historical and complicated, but clearly pointed out the role of France in Niger (as well as in Africa more broadly) as colonial, neo-colonially and highly problematic. The same conclusion was reached in Olayinka Ajala‘s article published in The Conversation Africa. A young pan-Africanist provided even a more clearer explanation, focusing on why the public was in support of the coup in Niger and against France and ECOWAS.

Some comments posted on Professor Benyera’s interview on YouTube

@malcommashudu1362
The professor has said what most sound minded Africans think.

@olcool
What a respectiful and constructive dialogue between professor and Sakina. Big up girl for giving the professor time to explain without unnecessary interruptions

@kodonga1
The professor very well analysed the situation objectively and in a clear and comprehensive manner! Kudos!

@victorsinyangwe1408@victorsinyangwe1408
Democracy is not freedom if you have no economic freedom

@soulshine8531
Excelente explanation. They were never granted independence. I read somewhere France still extracts 500 billion per year from west Africa and would hardly be able to function as a country without it.

@jacobkoumalamassadeh7448
Well resume professor, he puts out all the geopolitics playing in west Africa. France must go, with all its military bases and monetary imposed components. Real independence is coming soon, no compromise.

@discusion9821
🇳🇦Support to our brothers in niger 🇳🇪

@mahamedismail9562
The flourishing young generation in Somalia and other African nations firmly rejects the imperialist approach, as we have zero tolerance for anything resembling paternalism. We believe it is of utmost importance for Africa to have leaders who can not only challenge this narrative but also genuinely represent the demands of the younger generation.

@williejinnahkosseh2289
WOW! Thank you for your platform 🙏 and response from the Professor.
I was seeking reassurance that West Africa will emerge successful and prosperous.
However the facts given about France still blatantly and arrogantly holding on to African resources and security forces, have left me very sad and annoyed.
Pray these countries free themselves from this montrous colonial practice.

@sokariigbikis140
I actually thought the francophone countries in west Africa had independence ,I never knew they were only given an idea of independence: how can you say u have independence and not be in control of ur finance, natural resources and military ….

@JoseLopez-ys2oz
The French-wealth of Niger. France retained 4 principle parts of a nation’s sovereignty, when she granted independence to Niger. That is similar to what the United States (US) did in 1952 with the establishment of the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”. Puerto Rico still remains today a US colony, despite 42 United Nations’ resolutions asking her to immediately return Puerto Rico’s sovereignty to the Puerto Ricans. The military of the African nations are willing to fight for the Africans, than for France. Isn’t that democracy? Empires are rich because they steal!

Some comments posted on the young pan-Africanist’s Youtube post

flippnpagesstirnsauces4417
My young brother, you are wise beyond your years. The facts that you spoke were very eloquently spoken. One thing is for certain nothing will be the same again. A giant by the name of Africa is finally awake and she is not going back to sleep. My gratitude to you and all the other young men and women who have lit the torch in defense of what is rightfully yours. Long live the liberation of The United States Of Africa! Much AhAb my young brother. 🇯🇲🇨🇦

@amosndabeni934
Intelligent young man I admire you 🙌 we need more young people like you in the whole continent so that these thieves from Europe and America and their puppets here in Africa won’t have a place to hide. Let’s us expose them all over.

@pmystery
RISE UP young lions, take your stand. RISE UP, reclaim your land. RISE UP, from out of your sleep, Else the wolves will continue to devour your sheep.

@maryvictor9001
Watching him speak I cried 😢. God, Dear God please hear his prayer. A young man, so young with such wisdom, what is wrong with all these grandpas ruling Africa???

@dlepuno
What a brilliant young man, gave a very intriguing and powerful speech about our plight in Africa. Thanks you to my brother all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa ❤

What the president did wrong in Niger?

The President lined more and more with the West, and this angered Nigeriens. Public resistance grew resulting in the French Embassy being attacked by protestors. A huge anti-colonial, anti-western and anti-French sentiment grew. After the coup, people on the streets and students at universities showed support for the military, even pointing out that they would defend their country if attacked by ECOWAS or the West. Publicly supported military takeovers have happened before, a good example being Zimbabwe but the difference is the Zimbabwe one was not condemned by the West.

Western military forces

France has 1500 soldiers in Niger (and 1000 in Chad), and has a military base there. The USA has three military bases (two of them are drone bases). Western countries have been funding Niger, and ‘protecting’ it from terrorists, but the public are against this role, and have asked them to leave. They see Russia as a better option.

Exploitation

France (by extension Europe) gets 25% of their uranium from Niger, where it has companies that mine. France needs this uranium for its nuclear plants which generate electricity. Rich in uranium, the country is one of the poorest on the world. Without African resources, France will generate into a 3rd world country.

Resistance to France is resistance to colonisation which did not end because when Niger and other former Francophone ‘got independence from France’ in 1958, main pillars or the core of independence was not given to it and these are:

1. Control of the military affairs
2. Control of finances and currency
3. Control of international relations
4. Resources

ECOWAS and African Union (AU)

The ECOWAS and AU failed to act on other coups in the past, and when the ECOWAS proposed an their intervention in Niger, they were resisted. ECOWAS intervention was likely going to be funded by France and the USA (they were willing to support military action, and France was said to be ready to attack), which is highly problematic. Support for ECOWAS military intervention was flatly rejected by other ECOWAS and African nations, and the Nigerian Senate. Ajala did not agree with military intervention to restore the president, but supports a transition created by the military and negotiations. He said:

Third party countries with lower stakes in Niger must lead these negotiations and France must be willing to change its relationship with the country to one of mutual benefit. At the moment, Nigeriens see France as an exploiter and are keen to end their long-held relationship.

Olayinka Ajala

What is missing?

The role of aid in this situation has not been fully addressed. France and USA are both using aid to control and sanction Niger. They have cut aid, including budget support, so called development aid and military aid.

Key messages

The Professor concluded by saying ‘goodbye France, welcome Russia.” , and that military action by ECOWAS or any external force is not the best option, not only because Niger has a strong army but because of public support for the coup in Niger. The president failed to gain public support and sympathy, therefore, by siding with the President, ECOWAS becomes anti-people, which it shouldn’t be.

What are the lessons for Social work and Development globally?

There are five major lessons regardless of the outcome of the current situation.

• The colonial project has not been completely dismantled and is clearly tied to Africa’s poverty.
• The looting of resources by the West, at the same time granting aid is a situation that must be reversed.
• Politicians and leaders, including presidents, should be pro-people, work for the development of their people, countries and country.
• Democracy does not work where Ubuntu does not exist – having a constitutionally elected leader who is not people-centred makes democracy a shame. And supporting that leader in the name of constitutional democracy is even more shameful.
• We need stronger institutions in Africa, the AU and ECOWAS included.
• An important lesson is the role of African media in countering western narratives about Africa. The same applies to social work and development literature, it is important to use majority African literature in essays, articles, reviews, chapters, blogs, discussions, and generally in everyday life, and if we can’t get it, we have to create it ourselves.

Perhaps the cartoon below, sums it all.

What do you think? Feel free to write your comments.