Niger reopens land borders with neighboring nations after coup

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Aug 2023 11:45

The decree to reopen the borders has been made by Tchiani on August 1, as reported by local media

Supporters of the Nigerien defense forces in Niamey (AFP)

The land borders of Niger with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, and Mali have been reopened, according to reports from Nigerien media on Wednesday. The decision to reopen the borders came after a week-long closure following a military coup, as stated by the rebel National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), led by Abdourahmane Tchiani. The decree to reopen the borders was made by Tchiani on August 1, as reported by the Nigerien Press Agency.

The coup, which occurred on July 26, involved members of the Nigerien presidential guard overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum, resulting in the closure of the borders and the imposition of a curfew in the country.

The coup leader, Tchiani, declared himself the new leader of the country. Meanwhile, the southern borders of Niger with Nigeria and Benin still remain closed, as both countries previously tried to negotiate the release of the ousted Nigerien president, Mohamed Bazoum. Currently, Bazoum is being held at his residence in Niamey.

The coup in Niger follows a pattern of coups across the African continent such as Burkina Faso and Mali.

The big picture

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 recently transitioned to military-ruled governments via coups by toppling their 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.

It is noteworthy that, after the withdrawal of its forces from Mali, Paris focused its new strategy towards Africa on Niger, with the aim of implementing its geopolitical goals in West Africa.

Niger ranks fourth in the world in uranium production and covers 35% of France's needs for this material, and its nuclear plants help generate 70% of the electricity.

The country also includes French military bases and about 1,500 French soldiers. Paris had ended Operation Barkhane, withdrew its forces from Mali under pressure from the military council in Bamako, and transferred them to Niger.