On the coup in Niger and the situation in West Africa
Por Ezra Otieno
The coup d'état perpetrated in Niger on 26 of July, which was sponsored by the army, deposed President Bazoum and installed General Abdourahamane Tiani as the country's new leader, causing the current escalation. Bazoum and his party, the "Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism", who ruled the country since 2011, had become extremely unpopular due to corruption, failure to reduce poverty, the cruel repression of protests and opposition forces, and his dependent role as a lackey of French and American imperialism.
The pro-Western coalition ECOWAS, together with the European Union and the United States, imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened military action if the new junta does not immediately restore ousted president Mohamed Bazoum. When hundreds of protesters marched towards the French embassy to condemn any military action by the former colonial ruler, French President Macron warned that he will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests. “If someone attacks citizens, to the army, to diplomats or French interests, "France will react quickly and uncompromisingly.", added. In anticipation of such military action, Paris declared today that the French will be evacuated from Niger "very soon".
Niger was a French colony until 1960, when it emerged as a capitalist semi-colony dominated by France along with other Western countries. It is one of the poorest nations in the world. Nevertheless, contains some of the largest uranium deposits in the world, as well as other minerals, which are in the hands of French companies. European officials determined to keep Niger under their authority, since France and other EU countries depend on it for the 15-30% of its uranium imports, which are fundamental for the nuclear energy sector in Europe. further, Niger is the latest nation in North and Central Africa where huge numbers of Western soldiers remain stationed under the pretext of the imperialist war on terrorism..
further, the us army. THE. operates a massive drone base in the northern Agadez area, from where he launches his assassination missions throughout the Sahel region. In summary, "Losing" Niger would be a great loss for European and American imperialism, since they have just lost control of Mali and Burkina Faso in the previous three years.
For all these factors, France, the EU and the US. THE. They are eager to maintain their control over Niger. His goal is to pressure the new authorities to reestablish his puppet Bazoum or reach an agreement with General Tiani to maintain his predecessor's pro-Western stance.. If these preparations fail in the coming days, Western imperialists will want to intervene militarily with the support of soldiers from the ECOWAS bloc dominated by Nigeria.
Western politicians claim their attack on Niger's new junta is driven by a desire to defend 'democracy'. Nothing could be further from the truth! just a few weeks ago, EU officials approved an "anti-migration" agreement of 1.000 million euros with Tunisia, an authoritarian country headed by Kais Saied, who took power with a coup d'état in July 2021. General Sisi of Egypt, who took power with a military coup 3 July 2013, is another important friend of the EU and the US. In the weeks that followed, violently repressed huge mobilizations, especially in the horrible Rabaa massacre on 14 of August, in which the army massacred 2.600 protesters in a single day. Other "strategic allies" of Western countries, like absolutist monarchs, could be included in this list.
Besides, everyone in Africa is fully aware of the various intrigues and coups orchestrated by the Elysée of Paris! No, the only reason why EU and US politicians. THE. What opposes the new Niger junta is their fear of losing control of the nation.
We oppose ECOWAS sanctions and military threats!, the EU and US imperialism! We demand that the sanctions be lifted immediately. In the event of a military intervention by ECOWAS (which would be supported directly or indirectly by Western powers), we demand the armed defense of Niger and the defeat of the pro-imperialist invaders. In the same way, We socialists demand the withdrawal of American and European soldiers from Niger.
Socialists must reject all imperialist powers, both east and west. In the same way, Replacing one capitalist authoritarian system with another is not the way to go. Niger's impoverished workers and peasants must organize into workers' councils. Such mass organizations must serve as the basis for a government of workers and poor peasants that moves towards the expropriation of multinational companies and the delivery of land to those who work it.. This can begin a path towards total decolonization.
Our defense of Niger against foreign attacks must not be confused with an endorsement of the new junta. We socialists condemn the coup. It is a fight between two totally regressive wings of the ruling class of Niger. It is a continuation of the ruling class movement after comparable coups carried out in Mali, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Although we reject all types of dictatorship, We do not support the Bazoum government either. As a result, we urge the revolutionary socialists, progressives and activism to defend freedom of expression, including marches and demonstrations. We urge genuine socialists who support such an anti-imperialist platform to unite and form a revolutionary party, both nationally and globally.
