Shehu Sani Highlights Five Factors Responsible For Coups In West Africa

Former Senator from Kaduna State, Shehu Sani has highlighted five factors he believes are responsible for the collapse of democratic governments in West Africa, leading to military coups.

Between August 2020 and now, six coups have occurred in three West African countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and most recently, Niger with attempts in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau foiled.

Nigeria’s neighbour to the North, Chad, had an unconstitutional change of government led by Lieutenant General Mahamat Idriss Déby after his father died in 2021.

Recall that members of the elite  Presidential Guard had detained President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger inside his palace in the capital, Niamey, early on Wednesday, July 26th.

The military, through its Spokesman, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, on Wednesday night, announced on state television that it had overthrown the government of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger’s army also backed the defence and security forces that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum despite his defiant stance.

Army Chief of Staff, Abdou Sidikou Issa in a statement on Thursday, July 27th said the decision was necessary to “avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces”.

Taking to his official Twitter handle on Saturday, Shehu Sani, listed five factors he thinks are behind the frequent military coups.

Sani, who has always had an opinion on the Niger coup since it happened wrote, “I think there are FIVE factors that are responsible for the collapse of democratic Governments in West Africa and now giving rise to military coups.
1. Strangulation of Democracy by the political class and shrinking civil space.
2. Economic challenges that lead to widespread poverty and hunger.
3. Security challenges; the spread of terror groups and overreliance on the military. 
4. Expanding presence of Russian and Chinese influence in the economic, security, and political spheres.
5. Failure of sanctions to have any meaningful impact on coupists.

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported on a brief profile of the Chief of Niger’s powerful presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tiani who seized power after the military coup in the restive nation.