Niger events reflect worrying trend across Sahel: UN chief

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Jul 2023 21:54

According to the UN chief, instability is "particularly glaring in countries already affected by conflict, violent extremism, and terrorism."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (AP)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that the recent events that unfolded in Niger were reflecting a larger trend in the belt of Africa south of Sahara, where extremism and military escalations have been plaguing the Sahel region for a long time.

"We are seeing a disturbing trend," Antonio Guterres said. "Successive unconstitutional changes of government are having terrible effects on the development and lives of civilian populations."

His statements come a day after soldiers took Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum captive following a mutiny.

According to the UN chief, instability is "particularly glaring in countries already affected by conflict, violent extremism, and terrorism."

"I am indeed extremely worried," said Guterres, adding that the current situation in Niger "only benefits the terrorist groups" that are "becoming more and more dangerous."

"If you look at the region, you have the dramatic terrorist increase of activity in Mali, in Burkina Faso, in Niger and coming closer and closer to the countries of the coasts," Guterres said, noting that military governments are gaining sway even amid "a fragile transition in Chad and a horrible situation in Sudan."

"The whole belt south of the Sahara is becoming an extremely problematic area with terrible consequences for their populations and with terrible consequences for peace and stability in the African continent."

The UN chief condemned the detention of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum and called on soldiers to release him "immediately and unconditionally."

He further said that he spoke with Bazoum after the mutiny.

"I don't know exactly where he is, but he was detained," Guterres said. "He told me he was well, but he told me that the situation was very serious."

Since the start of the Ukrainian conflict, the African continent has been swept by a wave of change fueled by a sentiment of anti-Western imperialism.

Burkina Faso and Mali, which are also part of the Sahel, have in recent years transitioned to military governments via coups by toppling Western-backed leaders.

Just like those African leaders that were toppled by military juntas, Bazoum was also backed by Western powers -- up till June 23, Niger's parliament approved a new national anthem, marking the first steps to free the country of any relics of French colonization.