POLITICAL ECONOMY OF MILITARY COUP IN WEST AFRICA, A STUDY OF 2023 MILITARY COUP IN NIGER

ABSTRACT

The study examine the political economy of military coup in West Africa, a study of 2023 military coup in Niger. The survey research was used in this study to sample the opinion of respondents. This method involved random selection of respondents who were administered with questionnaires. Relevant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed. The target population of the study comprised selected residents from Niger. Three hundred (300) respondents constitute the sample size for this study. The descriptive and analytical approach was adopted using Chi-square to test and analyze the hypotheses earlier stated. Findings revealed that military coup has a significant impact on political and socio-economic development in Niger. Findings of the study also reveals that there are  factors that gave rise to the military coups in the first place in Niger. Findings of the study also reveals that there are strategies that could have been taken to avoid the military coup from taking place in Niger. Finally, findings of the study further reveals that Military coup  has a significant relationship with political and socio-economic growth in Niger. It was therefore concluded that military coup significantly has effect on the political economic growth in Niger. It was recommended that Niger and other West African countries must promote effective civil-military relations programs in order for both the military and its civil leaders to not only define, but to understand their vital roles in both national security and selfless service.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

          A global trend of democratic transition occurring concurrently with the waning of military regimes and overt military intervention has been evident over the past three decades (Adebajo & Rashid, 2004). Nine military dictatorships ruled Latin America, five in the Arab states. Over the past several decades, military coups have been a common occurrence in Africa and West Africa in particular. Studies and experience have shown that 15 of the 16countries that make up West Africa have, in one way or another, experienced military coups (Peter, 2000). Most of the coups have emanated from the military officer corps. This has not only raised more questions than answers as it relates to the competence and commitment of the military in general and the officer’s corps in particular, but has also had a negative impact on the social-economic development of the sub-region. The impact of this phenomenon is quite disturbing in many ways. There have been coups and counter-coups that have fueled civil wars in countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone (Amenta, Neal &Sheera, 2004). In Liberia for example, the civil war lasted for over a decade and cost the lives of over a quarter million people.

The consequences of these civil wars were devastating; the two countries were on the brink of becoming failed states. Without analyzing the impact of the many military coups, one can clearly ascertain that the immediate and perhaps the most dangerous consequence left behind by these brutal civil wars was ‘brain drain.’ of intellectuals and professionals desperately needed to build the countries’ social and economic instability (Hernandez, 2005). Most of the professionals who could have contributed toward building capacity and establishing viable governance in these ravaged countries sought refuge elsewhere in search of survival and perhaps better lives.

The principal problem for emerging democracies in West African countires is how to challenge resilient militaries which threaten to set their countries on a course for democratic demise. Ultimately, this monograph represents the culmination of a workshop/ public forum sponsored by the Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) under Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, held on September 1, 2009 (Gloria, 2003). Each country-case chapter has, however, been updated to account for more recent events. In addition, the cases of Congo,Nigeria, and South Africa have been included to provide a larger picture of civil-military relations across West Africa. With the recent occurrence in some West African countries, the present study seek to examine the political economy of military coup in west Africa, a study of 2023 military coup in Niger.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

          In the years since most countries in West Africa broke loose from colonialism and became independent, the need for an integrated social, political and economically diverse and classless (‘middle class’) society was one of paramount concern to most, if not all, West Africans. Still, the colonial legacy is felt at every stratum of the sub-region. Among the many colonial legacies, the “class system” was the one that greatly crippled or slowed the progress of the sub-region. Within the class systems left behind by the colonial imperial powers, many individuals who were fortunate to have acquired some level of education during the colonial period saw themselves as if those who were educated were to be considered ‘privileged’. Eventually, as colonies gained their independence from their colonial masters, the native educated class controlled the political machinery of their respective countries. . On July 26, 2023, Niger President Mohammed Bazoum was dismissed by the Presidential Guard Regiment Command through a military coup. It was announced that the former Guard Regiment Commander, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, was brought to replace President Bazoum, who was overthrown by the military administration in a coup, and that the constitution was suspended along with it. It was seen that the last coup in 2023 was also supported by the public. The headquarters of the Niger Democracy and Socialism Party, the party of President Bazoum, which was overthrown by a coup in the demonstrations in the capital Niamey, was set on fire. The military coup in Niger, an important country in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, has been the main topic of the international agenda.

The characteristics of Niger make it a country that cannot be ignored by international actors. The fact that Niger has the largest lands in West Africa in terms of surface area is a geographically striking element. In addition, there are military bases of France and the USA in Niger. The country, which realizes 7% of world uranium production, is also important in terms of mineral deposits.After the military intervention in Niger, France gave the first reaction, condemning the military coup and announcing that it does not recognize this situation. France demanded the release of the ousted President, whom she saw as the representative of the legitimateadministration.

          However, since Niger is one of the source countries of irregular migration, it cooperates with the European Union. Irregular migrants from Niger to Libya pass through this country to the European Union geography. As a result of the negotiations, Niger agreed to take back the irregular migrants in the camps in Libya. It is considered that some problems may occur during the change of administration in Niger, which is fighting against human smuggling effectively in order to prevent irregular migration. The European Union is particularly concerned about the instability in Niger due to the danger of irregular migration.Especially France and the USA, which have military bases in Niger, closely monitor the developments in the country. The political moves of the actors acting within the framework of their national interests will be shaped according to the negotiations with the Niger administration. The information pertaining the  political economy of military coup in Niger is limited. It is based on this background that the present study seek to explore the various causes and effects of the staggering number of military coups in the West African Region with specific reference to the 2023 military coup in Niger.

1.3 Research Question

          The following questions will guide the present study;

1. What is the the effects of the staggering number of military coups on the political economy ofNiger?

2. What are thefactors that gave rise to the military coups in the first place?

3. What are the strategies that could have been taken to avoid the military coup from taking place?

4. What does military coups mean for the lives of the ordinary citizens of the west Africa?

1.4 Obectives of the Study

          The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of the staggering number of military coups in the West African Region with specific reference to the 2023 military coup in Niger. Specific objectives of the study incude;

1. To determine the effects of the staggering number of military coups on the political economy ofNiger
2. To determine the factors that gave rise to the military coups in the first place
3. To ascertain the strategies that could have been taken to avoid the military coup from taking place
4. To examine what military coups mean for the lives of the ordinary citizens of the west Africa.

1.5 Significance of the Study

          This set to examine the political economy of military coup in west africa, a study of 2023 military coup in Niger. The findings of this study will be significance to the government of Niger and other West Africa government, millitary personnels, reesearchers and the general populace as a whole.

To the governemnt of Nigeria, the findings of this study may set the basis for the scrupulous implementation of measures that will prevent future military coups d’état in West Africa. In addition, this thesis may identify flaws in the ways politicians governed which could have given rise to the unprecedented number of military coups d’état in the sub-region.

          After colonialism ended in West Africa, many Africans strongly believed that the sub-region was heading for both economic and political prosperity. This seemed to be true during the first decade of post-colonialism, but this notion was short lived after Ghana, Nigeria, Niger and other nations began overthrowing their new governments. The researcher has found previous research and other works written on West African military coups.

          The findings of this study will help the general population to know the causes, forms and solutions of military coup in any government.

          The findings of this study will enable the military personnels to know the important of coup and how it can help remedy the issues in a country.

There is also some information from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions as well. This research intends to explore how much military coups d’état have shaped the sub-region.

1.6 Scope of the Study

          This study is limited effects of the staggering number of military coups in the West African Region with specific reference to the 2023 military coup in Niger. The international community and ECOWAS, for the most part, have condemned the use of military means to acquire political power. Given this development, many would-be coup makers are weakened and former military junta members are prevented from expressing their thoughts on this issue. Many researchers have written on the subject as well, which might expand the breadth of sources for the research in such forums as journals and professional articles.

          The limitations of this study include;

1. Inadequate number of participants to provide the responses on this topic since Niger is currently under military control, hence citizens are skeptical of giving any information that may put them in trouble.

2. No challant attitude of the participants in providing feedback and contribute to the findings of this study.

3. Limited resources like finances to cover all the necessary expenses that will have provided more information to the findings of this study.