And the fact that hundreds of youths in the capital, Niamey, gathered to celebrate the July coup, waving Russian flags and chanting ‘Wagner, also signifies something.
Besides South Africa, no African country practices true democracy. There is no difference between civilian and military rule in Africa. That is why Africans will always celebrate a coup because it is just a normal change of government.
In the midst of this rising Military coup, I cannot just stop questioning: why the military regime?
The main reason for military coups in Africa is corruption, electoral malpractice, and poor economy. The military will justify their intervention with corruption. They will claim that they have come to rescue the nation from bribery and corruption. When these politicians manipulate electoral results to get political power, it gives the military the right to topple the illegitimate government. If the economy of a nation is sound and people are living well, the military will not use the economy as an excuse for coups.
As a Nigerian, I hope this coup will not affect our security, economic stability, or political stability.
The coup in some African countries can be a motivation for the military to strike in other nations. ECOWAS is threatening to use the military to force the military government of Niger to return power to the elected politicians. A war in Niger will destabilize Nigeria politically, economically, and militarily. The best option to settle this crisis is dialogue and diplomacy. If ECOWAS is cajoled by some powerful nations to start a war in Niger, it will be the beginning of a proxy war between superpowers. Africans shouldn't forget that they have nowhere to run to because no nation in the West or East will be willing to accept them as refugees.