West Africans oppose ECOWAS intervention in Niger: Survey

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Economist
27 Aug 2023 23:44
3 Shares

The overthrow of Mohamed Bazoum by a military junta in Niger garners majority support among West Africans, according to a survey by Premise Data.

Nigeriens demonstrate in support of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) outside the Niger and French airbases in Niamey, Niger on August 27, 2023 (AFP)

The majority of West Africans support the military junta's overthrow of Mohamed Bazoum in Niger, according to a survey conducted by Premise Data which was published in The Economist.

Participants from the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria generally cast doubts on ECOWAS' calls for military intervention to defeat the Nigerien junta and reinstate Bazoum as president. 60% of survey takers said that the coup in Niger was justified.

In Mali, 78% of the respondents supported the coup reflecting their government's stance and unwavering support for the events in Niger.

Similarly, in countries that are part of the Western-backed ECOWAS, including the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria, 60% of those surveyed by Premise Data said declared their opposition to their governments' plan to interfere militarily in Niger. Many of the respondents from these countries expressed fears that such a move would lead to the outbreak of a broader regional war.

In regard to economic sanctions imposed on Niger by ECOWAS, the great majority of citizens in Mali opposed the unilateral economic sanctions on their neighbors while as many as 58% of Ivorians shared the sentiments as Ghanaians were evenly split on the issue.

While France's reputation in West Africa received mixed responses from survey takers, 71% of Malians say that Russia is their most trusted partner.

In the Ivory Coast, 65% of respondents said that France could regain their trust only by withdrawing all its forces from West Africa. Nearly 30% of Ivorians believe that Russian values closely resemble their own.

Nigeriens declare support for junta

On Saturday, a large crowd of supporters at the Seini Kunche stadium, the country's national and largest stadium, was seen cheering and chanting slogans in support of the junta.

Military officers who were present at the rally were seen delivering speeches on a stage to communicate their support for the Nigerien people.

Earlier in the day, the Association of Municipalities of Niger (AMN) and the Association of Regions of Niger (ARENI) which represent 262 territorial entities said in a joint statement that they declare their support for the junta-led transition.

In their declaration, they said they give their "firm support of the actions announced by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland for a successful transition."

The document was co-signed by AMN President Abdou Ouhou Dodo and ARENI President Anacko Mohamed.