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135-717: Many in the sparsely populated and ethnically distinct north of Mali along with some in southern Algeria and northern Niger expected an independent Tuareg, Berber, and Arab nation to be formed by the Sahara desert regions when French Colonialism ended. This combined with dissatisfaction over the new government led some Tuareg in Northern Mali to rebel in 1963. The first Tuareg attacks began in northern Mali in early 1962 with small, “ hit and run ” raids against government targets. The attacks escalated in size and destructiveness through 1963, resulting in very unsettled conditions in

270-541: A French-style semi-presidential system . This was adopted on 9 August 1999 and was followed by presidential and legislative elections in October and November of the same year. The elections were generally found to be free and fair by international observers. Wanké then withdrew from governmental affairs. After winning the election in November 1999, President Tandja Mamadou was sworn into office on 22 December 1999 as

405-614: A Tuareg revolt in Tchintabaraden was suppressed. Kountché died in November 1987 from a brain tumour, and was succeeded by his chief of staff, Col. Ali Saibou who was confirmed as Chief of the Supreme Military Council four days later. Saibou curtailed the most repressive aspects of the Kountché era (such as the secret police and media censorship), and set about introducing a process of political reform under

540-529: A burial replete with iron and ceramic statuettes were discovered. The Neolithic era saw the flourishing of Saharan rock art, including in the Aïr Mountains , Termit Massif, Djado Plateau, Iwelene, Arakao, Tamakon, Tzerzait, Iferouane , Mammanet and Dabous ; the art spans the period from 10,000 BC to 100 AD and depicts a range of subjects, from the varied fauna of the landscape to depictions of spear-carrying figures dubbed 'Libyan warriors'. By at least

675-408: A clear timeline for a return to civilian rule and uphold citizens' rights to democratic elections. The AU also demanded that the military return to barracks in fifteen days and restore civilian rule following a meeting of its Peace and Security Council. The UN announced that it had suspended its humanitarian operations in the country, but later clarified that it was still delivering aid to Niger but

810-474: A former advisor to Bazoum who had been in contact with him said that the military was trying to wear him down by surrounding his residence with armored military vehicles, chaining the access gates shut and cutting the electricity supply. Subsequent reports indicated that he has been suffering from bad health while in captivity. The leadership of the Niger Armed Forces issued a statement signed by

945-473: A further seven sons with a concubine, who went on to found the so-called 'Banza ( illegitimate ) Bakwai': Zamfara , Kebbi , Nupe , Gwari , Yauri , Ilorin and Kwararafa . A smaller state not fitting into this scheme was Konni , centred on Birni-N'Konni . The Fulani (also called Peul, Fulbe etc.), a pastoral people found throughout the Sahel, began migrating to Hausaland during the 1200s–1500s. During

1080-457: A group of armed Tuaregs attacked the town of Tchintabaraden (seen by some as the start of the first Tuareg Rebellion ), prompting a military crackdown which led to deaths (the precise numbers are disputed, with estimates ranging from 70 to up to 1,000). The National Sovereign Conference of 1991 brought about multi-party democracy. From 29 July to 3 November, a national conference gathered together all elements of society to make recommendations for

1215-457: A large group of IS-GS militants assaulted a Nigerien military base at Chinagodrar, in Niger's Tillabéri Region , killing at least 89 Nigerien soldiers. On 27 December 2020, Nigeriens went to the polls after Issoufou announced he would step down, paving the way to a peaceful transition of power . No candidate won an absolute majority in the vote: Mohamed Bazoum came closest with 39.33%. Per

1350-473: A military unit in the capital, Niamey . Gunfire was heard in the presidential palace. The attack took place two days before newly elected president Mohamed Bazoum was due to be sworn into office. The Presidential Guard arrested some people during the incident. On 2 April 2021, Bazoum was sworn in as the President of Niger . Late on 26 July 2023, a coup by the military overthrew Bazoum, putting an end to

1485-528: A new military agreement, and the US agreed to withdraw troops from Niger following the termination of a Niger–US agreement that had allowed US personnel to be stationed in the country. Niger is a landlocked nation in West Africa located along the border between the Sahara and Sub-Saharan regions. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to

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1620-496: A number of kidnappings the rebellion had "largely fizzled out inconclusively" by 2009. The "poor" security situation in the region is thought to have allowed elements of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to gain a foothold in the country. In 2009, President Tandja Mamadou decided to organize a constitutional referendum seeking to extend his presidency , which was opposed by other political parties, and went against

1755-576: A number of smaller kingdoms. In c.  1449 in the north of what is now Niger, the Sultanate of Aïr was founded by Sultan Ilisawan, based in Agadez . Formerly a trading post inhabited by a mixture of Hausa and Tuaregs, it grew as a strategic position on the Trans-Saharan trade routes. In 1515, Aïr was conquered by Songhai, remaining a part of that empire until its collapse in 1591. In

1890-517: A return to civilian rule. His position as de facto concurrent head of state was later confirmed by Colonel Abdramane, who accused officials of Bazoum's government of plotting against the new regime while sheltering in foreign embassies and warned of bloodshed if they pushed through. Disruption within Niger following the coup has continued, with demonstrations, censorship of broadcasts and interruptions to power supplies, as well as evacuations of foreign nationals. The situation eventually escalated into

2025-610: A secret CIA base, and millions of dollars in aid. At the same time, along with anti-French sentiment , a current of thought favorable to the entry of Russian influence and the Wagner Group mercenary company began to grow. Russia, through Wagner, has been gaining ground at the expense of the French in the region, following the latest coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. At the same time, Turkey has also expanded its influence. Early in

2160-514: A series of droughts. While it remained "something of a backwater", some limited economic development took place in Niger during the colonial years, such as the introduction of groundnut cultivation. Measures to improve food security following a series of devastating famines in 1913, 1920, and 1931 were introduced. During the Second World War , during which time mainland France was occupied by Nazi Germany , Charles de Gaulle issued

2295-400: A serious international crisis that has led to threats of military intervention by ECOWAS and heightened tensions and military mobilization in Niger. On 10 August, the junta declared a new government, naming 21 ministers led by Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine in an announcement on Télé Sahel by "secretary-general of the government" Mahamane Roufai Laouali. Three Generals who were members of

2430-559: A six-month transition period, during which a constitution was drafted and adopted on 12 May 1996. Presidential campaigns were organised in the months that followed. Maïnassara entered the campaign as an independent candidate and won the election on 8 July 1996, the elections were viewed nationally and internationally by some as irregular, as the electoral commission was replaced during the campaign. Meanwhile, Maïnassara instigated an IMF and World Bank -approved privatisation programme which enriched some of his supporters and were opposed by

2565-588: A statement saying they had secured "major strategic points" in the country. The Presidency stated that the Army and the National Guard were ready to attack the presidential guard. The BBC also reported that loyalist forces had surrounded the state broadcaster ORTN . The US embassy warned against travel along Niamey's Boulevard de la Republique, where the Presidential Palace was located. In

2700-471: A year earlier. An attempted coup against him in 2011 was thwarted and its ringleaders arrested. Issoufou's time in office was marked by threats to the country's security, stemming from the fallout from the Libyan Civil War and Northern Mali conflict , an insurgency in western Niger by al-Qaeda and Islamic State , the spillover of Nigeria's Boko Haram insurgency into south-eastern Niger, and

2835-597: Is also used. Stone tools, some dating as far back as 280,000 BC, have been found in Adrar Bous , Bilma and Djado in the northern Agadez Region . Some of these finds have been linked with the Aterian and Mousterian tool cultures of the Middle Paleolithic period, which flourished in northern Africa circa 90,000 BC–20,000 BC. It is thought that these humans lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. During

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2970-544: Is the Niger River , with an elevation of 200 metres (656 ft). The highest point is Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès in the Aïr Mountains at 2,022 m (6,634 ft). Niger's terrain is predominantly desert plains and sand dunes , with flat to rolling savanna in the south and hills in the north. 2023 Nigerien coup d%27%C3%A9tat Coup d'état successful On 26 July 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger when

3105-464: Is with Nigeria to the south (1,497 km or 930 mi). This is followed by Chad to the east, at 1,175 km (730 mi), Algeria to the north-northwest (956 km or 594 mi), and Mali at 821 km (510 mi). Niger has borders in its further southwest with Burkina Faso at 628 km (390 mi) and Benin at 266 km (165 mi) and to the north-northeast Libya at 354 km (220 mi). The lowest point in Niger

3240-595: The African Union suspended Niger from the bloc and told its members to avoid any action that might legitimize the junta. The junta gradually reopened Niger's borders, starting with crossings to Algeria , Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya , and Chad on 1 August, followed by its airspace on 4 September. On 24 September, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France was pulling its troops as well as diplomatic staff, including its ambassador Sylvain Itté , from Niger by

3375-478: The Algerian War . Relations with other African states were mostly "positive", with the exception of Dahomey (Benin), owing to a border dispute. Niger remained a one-party state throughout this period, with Diori surviving a planned coup in 1963 and an assassination attempt in 1965; most of this activity was masterminded by Djibo Bakary's MSA-Sawaba group which had launched an abortive rebellion in 1964. In

3510-522: The Bayajidda legend, by the six sons of Bawo. Bawo was the only son of the Hausa queen Daurama and Bayajidda or ( Abu Yazid according to certain historians) who came from Baghdad . The seven original Hausa states (also referred to as the 'Hausa bakwai') were: Daura (state of queen Daurama ), Kano , Rano , Zaria , Gobir , Katsina and Biram . An extension of the legend states that Bawo had

3645-716: The European Union , France , and the United States ; several of them, as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk have called for Bazoum's immediate release. On 2 August, the World Bank suspended disbursements to Niger until further notice. On 30 July, ECOWAS gave Niger's coup leaders a one-week deadline to hand power back to Bazoum or to face international sanctions and/or use of force . On

3780-707: The Kanem–Bornu Empire and the Mali Empire before more significant parts of its territory became included in states such as the Sultanate of Agadez and the Songhai Empire . It was colonized by France during the Scramble for Africa as part of French West Africa , becoming a distinct colony in 1922. Since obtaining independence in 1960, Niger has experienced five coups d'état and four periods of military rule . Niger's seventh and most recent constitution

3915-626: The Nigerien Progressive Party ( Parti Progressiste Nigérien , or PPN, originally a branch of the African Democratic Rally, or Rassemblement Démocratique Africain – RDA) was formed under the leadership of former teacher Hamani Diori , as was the left-wing Mouvement Socialiste Africain-Sawaba (MSA), led by Djibo Bakary . Following the Overseas Reform Act ( Loi Cadre ) of 23 July 1956 and

4050-510: The Oudney - Denham - Clapperton expedition (1822–25), Heinrich Barth (1850–55 with James Richardson and Adolf Overweg ), Friedrich Gerhard Rohlfs (1865–1867), Gustav Nachtigal (1869–1874) and Parfait-Louis Monteil (1890–1892). Some European countries already possessed coastal colonies in Africa, and in the latter half of the century they began to turn their eyes towards the interior of

4185-656: The Port Seme Terminal in Benin . By October 2022, 30% of the pipeline was complete. Benin authorities commented that the sanctions imposed on Niger by ECOWAS after the coup, although they did not stop construction work, could mean a significant delay. The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline connecting Europe and Nigeria was still being planned at the time of the coup. The coup is seen by the International Crisis Group as encouraging for jihadists, as

Tuareg rebellion (1962–1964) - Misplaced Pages Continue

4320-542: The Republic of the Niger , is a landlocked country in West Africa . It is a unitary state bordered by Libya to the northeast , Chad to the east , Nigeria to the south , Benin and Burkina Faso to the southwest , Mali to the west , and Algeria to the northwest . It covers a land area of almost 1,270,000 km (490,000 sq mi), making it the largest landlocked country in West Africa and

4455-546: The Termit Massif . The Kiffian (circa 8000–6000 BC) and later Tenerian (circa 5000–2500 BC) cultures, centred on Adrar Bous and Gobero where skeletons have been uncovered, flourished during this period. Societies continued to grow with regional differentiation in agricultural and funerary practices. A culture of this period is the Bura culture (circa 200–1300 AD) named for the Bura archaeological site where

4590-478: The United States and France , and by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS , the latter of which threatened military intervention against the junta, leading to the 2023–2024 Nigerien crisis . Niger had previously undergone four military coups since independence from France in 1960, with the most recent having occurred in 2010 . In between, there were also several coup attempts, the most recent of which

4725-572: The Voulet–Chanoine Mission from Timbuktu —with the aim of linking France's African possessions. The three eventually met at Kousséri (in the far north of Cameroon ) and defeated Rabih az-Zubayr's forces at the Battle of Kousséri . The Voulet-Chanoine Mission was "marred by atrocities", and "became notorious" for pillaging, looting, raping and killing local civilians on its passage throughout southern Niger. On 8 May 1899, in retaliation for

4860-523: The "sole president" of Niger. Yevgeny Prigozhin , the head of the Russian private mercenary Wagner Group that has operated in neighboring Mali and supplanted France in combating the country's own jihadist insurgency , praised the coup and called it part of Niger's fight against its " colonizers ." Prigozhin's statements contrasted with the official line given by the Russian government, with President Vladimir Putin 's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling

4995-457: The 15th century due to a combination of internecine strife over the royal succession, weak kings, the shift of European trade routes to the coast, and rebellions in the empire's periphery by Mossi , Wolof , Tuareg and Songhai peoples. A rump Mali kingdom continued to exist until the 1600s. The Songhai Empire was named for its main ethnic group, the Songhai or Sonrai , and was centred on

5130-615: The 1600s. As detailed in the Epic of Sundiata , Mali emerged as a breakaway region of the Sosso Empire which itself had split from the earlier Ghana Empire . Thereafter Mali defeated the Sosso at the Battle of Kirina in 1235 and then Ghana in 1240. From its heartland around the later Guinea-Mali border region, the empire expanded under successive kings and came to dominate the Trans-Saharan trade routes, reaching its greatest extent during

5265-532: The 1930s. Territorial adjustments took place in this period: the areas west of the Niger river were attached to Niger in 1926–1927, and during the dissolution of Upper Volta (modern Burkina Faso) in 1932–1947 most of the east of that territory was added to Niger; and in the east the Tibesti Mountains were transferred to Chad in 1931. The French generally adopted a form of indirect rule, allowing existing native structures to continue to exist within

5400-544: The 1970s, a combination of economic difficulties, droughts and accusations of rampant corruption and mismanagement of food supplies resulted in a coup d'état that overthrew the Diori regime. The coup had been masterminded by Col. Seyni Kountché and a military group under the name of the Conseil Militaire Supreme , with Kountché going on to rule the country until his death in 1987. The first action of

5535-404: The 5th century BC the territory of what is now Niger had become an area of trans-Saharan trade. Led by Tuareg tribes from the north, camels were used as a means of transportation through what is later a desert. This mobility which would continue in waves for centuries was accompanied with further migration to the south and intermixing between sub-Saharan African and North African populations, and

Tuareg rebellion (1962–1964) - Misplaced Pages Continue

5670-482: The Azna resisted Islam altogether (the area of Dogondoutchi remains an animist stronghold). The Hausa kingdoms were not a compact entity but several federations of kingdoms more or less independent of one other. Their organisation was hierarchical and somewhat democratic: the Hausa kings were elected by the notables of the country and could be removed by them. The Hausa Kingdoms began as seven states founded, according to

5805-489: The Brazzaville Declaration, declaring that the French colonial empire would be replaced post-war with a less centralised French Union . The French Union, which lasted from 1946 to 1958, conferred a limited form of French citizenship on the inhabitants of the colonies, with some decentralisation of power and limited participation in political life for local advisory assemblies. It was during this period that

5940-513: The CNSP were named to head the Interior, Defense and Sports ministries. The heavy pressure from the international community and ECOWAS to hand over power, has prompted the junta to seek support from like-minded regimes in the region. On 2 August, a junta delegation headed by General Salifou Mody traveled to Bamako , Mali and then to Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso. On 12 August, a delegation from

6075-552: The Hausa states survived by fleeing south, such as the Katsina who moved to Maradi in the south of what later became Niger. Some of these surviving states harassed the Caliphate and a period of wars and skirmishes commenced, with some states (such as Katsina and Gobir) maintaining independence whereas elsewhere newer ones were formed (such as the Sultanate of Tessaoua ). The Caliphate managed to survive until, "fatally weakened" by

6210-559: The Nigerien government to sign a truce with Tuareg rebels in 1992 which was ineffective owing to internal dissension within the Tuareg ranks. Another rebellion, led by dissatisfied Toubou peoples claiming that, like the Tuareg, the Nigerien government had neglected their region, broke out in the east of the country. In April 1995 a peace deal with a Tuareg rebel group was signed, with the government agreeing to absorb some former rebels into

6345-591: The Nigerien people as a whole. Bazoum's predecessor as president, Mahamadou Issoufou , as well as other former leaders were said to have been involved in initial negotiations to release Bazoum and have the presidential guards stand down. The coup was condemned by the World Bank , the African Union , the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations, Algeria ,

6480-569: The President and reiterated that Bazoum was in good condition and that not the entire army was involved. Massaoudou also declared himself acting head of state and called on all democrats to "make this adventure fail". Despite being detained, Bazoum has not resigned and has been able to get in contact with world leaders and officials such as French President Emmanuel Macron , UN Secretary-General António Guterres , AU Commissioner Moussa Faki , and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken . However,

6615-556: The Restoration of Democracy , headed by Djibo, carried out a one-year transition plan, drafted a constitution and held elections in 2011. Following the adoption of a constitution in 2010 and presidential elections a year later, Mahamadou Issoufou was elected as the first president of the Seventh Republic; he was then re-elected in 2016. The constitution restored the semi-presidential system which had been abolished

6750-410: The Seventh Republic and the government of Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou . On 28 July, General Abdourahamane Tchiani was proclaimed as the de facto head of state of the country. Former finance minister Ali Lamine Zeine was declared the new Prime Minister of Niger . The coup was condemned by ECOWAS, which in the 2023 Nigerien crisis threatened to use military intervention to reinstate

6885-407: The Tuareg community as a whole. While estimates of their numbers are highly speculative, it is unlikely that rebel combatants ever numbered more than about 1,500. Still, the government reacted quickly and harshly. Mali's army, well-motivated and now well-equipped with new Soviet weapons, conducted vigorous counterinsurgency operations. By the end of 1964, the government's strongarm methods had crushed

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7020-555: The Tuareg-populated north. However, the Tuareg attacks did not reflect a unified leadership, a well-coordinated strategy or clear evidence of a coherent strategic vision. The insurgents generally depended on their camels for transportation and were equipped mainly with unsophisticated and rather old small arms, unlike the Malian armies who owned Soviet weapons, and the support of Algeria and Morocco. They also failed to mobilize

7155-515: The United States, France and Turkey, which have bases in the country. It was also stated that disputes with the army over attitudes with ECOWAS' position on military juntas in the region may have also played a part; Salifou Modi , Chief of staff of Niger's military until 31 March 2023, visited Bamako in March to agree with Mali that it could pursue jihadists on Malian territory, but Bazoum

7290-577: The West African regional debt market was cancelled by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Following the expiration of its deadline on Bazoum's restoration, ECOWAS ordered the "immediate activation" of its intervention force, but said it still favors a peaceful resolution to the crisis. On 18 August, ECOWAS said it had agreed an undisclosed "D-Day" for a possible military intervention to restore democracy in Niger if diplomatic efforts fail, stressing that it would not hold endless dialogue with

7425-415: The announcement was later identified as General Moussa Salaou Barmou , the head of the country's special forces. In the morning, Bazoum tweeted that Nigeriens who love democracy would see to it that "hard-won gains will be safeguarded", indicating his refusal to step down from office. His foreign minister, Hassoumi Massaoudou , told France 24 that the country's "legal and legitimate power" remained with

7560-423: The army chief of staff, General Abdou Sidikou Issa , declaring its support for the coup. The statement mentioned the need to "preserve the physical integrity" of the President and his family and avoid "a deadly confrontation that could create a bloodbath and affect the security of the population." In a television statement shortly after, Abdramane announced the suspension of all activities by political parties in

7695-686: The bend of the Niger River in Mali . Songhai began settling this region from the 7th to 9th centuries; by the 11th century Gao (capital of the former Kingdom of Gao ) had become the empire's capital. From 1000 to 1325, the Songhai Empire managed to maintain peace with the Mali Empire, its neighbour to the west. In 1325 Songhai was conquered by Mali until regaining its independence in 1375. Under king Sonni Ali (r. 1464–1492) Songhai adopted an expansionist policy which reached its apogee during

7830-593: The blind cleric Alfa Saibou, and the Karma revolt in the Niger valley (December 1905 – March 1906) led by Oumarou Karma were suppressed with force, as were the latter Hamallayya and Hauka religious movements. While "largely successful" in subduing the "sedentary" populations of the south, the French faced "considerably more difficulty" with the Tuareg in the north (centered on the Sultanate of Aïr in Agadez), and France

7965-728: The buildup to the August ECOWAS deadline, the junta requested help from the Russian Wagner Group , though Wagner mercenaries were not known to have entered the country as a result. In October the junta expelled French troops from the country, presenting the move as a step towards sovereignty from the former colonial power, and in December it suspended cooperation with the Francophonie alleging its promotion of French interests. UN resident coordinator Louise Aubin

8100-606: The capital, Niamey . Interior Minister Hamadou Souley was also arrested and held in the palace, while roughly twenty members of the Presidential Guard were spotted outside later in the day. The coup was reportedly led by Tchiani, whom analysts said Bazoum had planned to relieve from his position. Sources close to President Bazoum said that he had decided on Tchiani's dismissal at a cabinet meeting on 24 July as their relations had reportedly become strained. Bazoum's wife, Hadiza, and son, Salem, were detained with him at

8235-678: The colonial framework of governance providing that they acknowledged French supremacy. The Zarma of the Dosso Kingdom in particular proved amenable to French rule, using them as allies against the encroachments of Hausa and other nearby states; over time the Zarma thus became one of the "more educated and westernised" groups in Niger. Perceived threats to French rule, such as the Kobkitanda rebellion in Dosso Region (1905–1906), led by

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8370-420: The constitution created a Sixth Republic, with a presidential system , the suspension of the 1999 Constitution, and a three-year interim government with Tandja Mamadou as president. The events generated political and social unrest. In a coup d'état in February 2010, a military junta led by Salou Djibo was established in response to Tandja's attempted extension of his political term. The Supreme Council for

8505-408: The constitution which limited presidential terms. Proponents of the extended presidency, who rallied behind the 'Tazartche' (Hausa for 'overstay') movement, were countered by opponents ('anti-Tazartche') composed of opposition party militants and civil society activists. The north saw the outbreak of a Second Tuareg Rebellion in 2007 led by the Mouvement des Nigériens pour la justice (MNJ). With

8640-541: The constitution, a run-off election was held on 20 February 2021, with Bazoum taking 55.75% of the vote and opposition candidate (and former president) Mahamane Ousmane taking 44.25%, according to the electoral commission. At the start of 2021 with the Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumdareye massacres , IS-GS began killing civilians en masse. On 21 March 2021, the IS-GS militants attacked several villages around Tillia , killing 141 people, mostly civilians. On 31 March 2021, Niger's security forces thwarted an attempted coup by

8775-425: The constitution," stopping short of describing it as a coup, as doing so would entail a withdrawal of economic aid and military assistance, including existing drone and military bases, to the nation. It expressed support for ECOWAS and warned the junta against harming Bazoum and those detained with him, stressing that it would hold them responsible for such an action. On 15 August, a Pentagon spokesperson referred to

8910-407: The continent. This process, known as the ' Scramble for Africa ', culminated in the 1885 Berlin conference in which the colonial powers outlined the division of Africa into spheres of influence. As a result of this, France gained control of the upper valley of the Niger River (roughly equivalent to the present territory of Mali and Niger). France then set about making a reality of their rule on

9045-449: The country undergo periodic drought and desertification . The economy is concentrated around subsistence agriculture , with some export agriculture in the less arid south, and the export of raw materials , including uranium ore . It faces challenges to development due to its landlocked position, desert terrain, low literacy rate , jihadist insurgencies , and the world's highest fertility rates due to birth control not being used and

9180-422: The country until further notice. He also announced that the junta had issued a reprimand to France for violating the airspace closure after a military plane landed at an air base. Throughout the day, Télé Sahel continually broadcast the announcement of the junta's establishment with a few breaks in programming. The junta revoked military cooperation agreements with France, which has between 1,100 and 1,500 troops in

9315-400: The country's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum , and Presidential Guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself the leader of a new military junta , shortly after confirming the coup a success. This was the fifth military coup d'état since the country gained independence from France in 1960, and the first since 2010 . The coup was condemned by

9450-495: The country. A pro-coup demonstration took place with about 1,000 supporters of the junta flying Russian flags , voicing support for the Wagner Group , and throwing rocks at a passing politician's vehicle. The demonstrators also denounced the French presence and that of other foreign bases. Other demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of Bazoum's PNDS-Tarayya party, with footage showing them stoning and setting fire to vehicles. They then subsequently ransacked and burned

9585-414: The coup a "serious concern" and calling for all sides "to show restraint" and for "the fastest possible return to legal order," while subsequently criticizing intervention by non-regional forces as "ineffective." Mykhailo Podolyak , an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , alleged that Russia was behind the coup in Niger. Human Rights Watch called on the Nigerien military to provide

9720-637: The coup could impact Niger's fight against the Islamist insurgency, adding that there were indications that the Nigerien military was not pleased with the level of support they received to fight militants. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation , said the coup was a "nightmare" for the West, which counted on Bazoum and Niger as its "new security anchor" in the region. Flavien Baumgartner, an Africa analyst at

9855-405: The coup was undertaken to avoid "the gradual and inevitable demise" of the country and said that Bazoum had tried to hide "the harsh reality" of the country, which he called "a pile of dead, displaced, humiliation and frustration". He also criticized the government's security strategy for its purported ineffectiveness and lack of collaboration with Mali and Burkina Faso but did not give a timeline for

9990-535: The coup were "lies" and accused him and the presidential guard of staging the coup for "personal gain". Bazoum's Prime Minister, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou , who was in Europe at the time of the coup, also expressed his support for the President and welcomed the imposition of sanctions by ECOWAS on the military junta as "very satisfactory and logical", while insisting that anti-French demonstrations in Niamey did not represent

10125-539: The cultural-linguistic area known as Hausaland which straddles what later became the Niger-Nigeria border . The Hausa are thought to be a mixture of autochthonous peoples and migrant peoples from the north and east, emerging as a distinct people sometime in the 900s–1400s when the kingdoms were founded. They gradually adopted Islam from the 14th century, and sometimes this existed alongside other religions, developing into syncretic forms; some Hausa groups such as

10260-582: The decision of the Constitutional Court which had ruled that the referendum would be unconstitutional. Mamadou then modified and adopted a new constitution by referendum, which was declared illegal by the Constitutional Court, prompting Mamadou to dissolve the Court and assume emergency powers. The opposition boycotted the referendum and the constitution was adopted with 92.5% of voters and a 68% turnout, according to official results. The adoption of

10395-498: The end of 2023. Prior to this, Itté had defied the junta's demand for his expulsion, which led to a total blockade of the French embassy in Niamey. Niger's governing political coalition denounced the coup as "a suicidal and anti-republican madness", while the opposition coalition expressed support for the military's grievances but disapproved of any political changes through force. Two deputy officials of Bazoum's cabinet, Daouda Takoubakoye and Oumar Moussa, said Tchiani's statements on

10530-677: The establishment of the Fifth French Republic on 4 December 1958, Niger became an autonomous state within the French Community . On 18 December 1958, an autonomous Republic of Niger was officially created under the leadership of Hamani Diori. MSA was banned in 1959 for its perceived excessive anti-French stance. On 11 July 1960, Niger decided to leave the French Community and acquired full independence at midnight, local time, on 3 August 1960; Diori thus became

10665-550: The evening, Air Force Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane went on state television channel Télé Sahel to claim that Bazoum had been removed from power and announced the formation of a National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland . Seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing uniforms representing all the different branches of the security forces, Abdramane said the defense and security forces had decided to topple

10800-412: The events as an "attempted coup". The Chinese foreign ministry expressed support for Bazoum and called for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis but did not directly condemn the coup or refer to the event as one. The EU and France withheld financial and development aid to Niger and suspended all security cooperation agreements with the country. France stated that it continued to recognize Bazoum as

10935-466: The face of trade union and student demands to institute a multi-party democratic system . On 9 February 1990, a violently repressed student march in Niamey led to the death of three students, which led to increased national and international pressure for further democratic reform. The Saibou regime acquiesced to these demands by the end of 1990. Meanwhile, trouble re-emerged in Agadez Region when

11070-431: The few remaining pro-Western leaders in the region. Niger became a key ally for Western, particularly French, American, and Turkish forces. With multiple coups and rising anti-French sentiments in the region, Niger became France's partner of last resort. American-trained officers were also reported to have trained many members of the presidential guard. US military investments in Niger include nearly 1,100 soldiers, drones,

11205-469: The first president of the country. For its first 14 years as an independent state, Niger was run by a single-party civilian regime under the presidency of Hamani Diori. The 1960s saw an expansion of the education system and some limited economic development and industrialisation. Links with France remained, with Diori allowing the development of French-led uranium mining in Arlit and supporting France in

11340-681: The first president of the Fifth Republic. Mamadou brought about administrative and economic reforms that had been halted due to the military coups since the Third Republic, and helped peacefully resolve a decades-long boundary dispute with Benin. In August 2002, unrest within military camps occurred in Niamey , Diffa , and Nguigmi , and the government was able to restore order within days. On 24 July 2004, municipal elections were held to elect local representatives, previously appointed by

11475-552: The following centuries, it "seems that the sultanate entered a decline" marked by internecine wars and clan conflicts. When Europeans began exploring the region in the 19th century, most of Agadez lay in ruins and was taken over by the French ( see below ). To the east, the Kanem–Bornu Empire dominated the region around Lake Chad for a period. It was founded by the Zaghawa around the 8th century and based in Njimi , north-east of

11610-544: The future direction of the country. The conference was presided over by Prof. André Salifou and developed a plan for a transitional government ; this was then installed in November 1991 to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put into place in April 1993. After the National Sovereign Conference, the transitional government drafted a constitution that eliminated

11745-664: The government of Bazoum if the coup leaders did not by 6 August. The deadline passed without military intervention, though ECOWAS imposed sanctions, including cuts of Nigerian energy exports to Niger which had previously provided 70–90% of Niger's power. In November the coup-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States in opposition to potential military intervention. On 24 February 2024 several ECOWAS sanctions against Niger were dropped, reportedly for humanitarian and diplomatic reasons, and Nigeria agreed to resume electricity exports to Niger. In

11880-431: The government. These elections were followed by presidential elections, in which Mamadou was re-elected for a second term, thus becoming the first president of the republic to win consecutive elections without being deposed by military coups. The legislative and executive configuration remained somewhat similar to that of the first term of the president: Hama Amadou was reappointed as prime minister and Mahamane Ousmane ,

12015-680: The ground. In 1897, the French officer Marius Gabriel Cazemajou was sent to Niger. He reached the Sultanate of Damagaram in 1898, and stayed in Zinder at the court of Sultan Amadou Kouran Daga. He was later killed, as Daga feared he would ally with the Chad-based warlord Rabih az-Zubayr. In 1899–1900, France coordinated three expeditions—the Gentil Mission from French Congo , the Foureau-Lamy Mission from Algeria and

12150-644: The head of the CDS party, was re-elected as the president of the National Assembly (parliament) by his peers. By 2007, the relationship between President Tandja Mamadou and his prime minister had "deteriorated", leading to the replacement of the latter in June 2007 by Seyni Oumarou following a successful vote of no confidence at the Assembly. President Tandja Mamadou sought to extend his presidency by modifying

12285-574: The invasions of Chad-based warlord Rabih az-Zubayr , it finally fell to the British in 1903, with its lands later being partitioned between Britain and France. Other smaller kingdoms of the period include the Dosso Kingdom , a Zarma polity founded in 1750, which resisted the rule of Hausa and Sokoto states. In the 19th century, some European explorers travelled in the area that would become known as Niger, such as Mungo Park (in 1805–1806),

12420-399: The junta. Benin 's President Patrice Talon called the coup a "military misbehavior". Kenyan President William Ruto called the coup a "serious setback" for Africa. South Africa also condemned and called on the junta to ensure Bazoum's safety and urgently return to constitutional rule. The United States formally referred to the coup as "an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt

12555-479: The lake. The kingdom gradually expanded, including during the rule of the Sayfawa dynasty which began in c.  1075 under Mai (king) Hummay . The kingdom reached its greatest extent in the 1200s, partly due to the effort of Mai Dunama Dibbalemi (r. 1210–1259), and grew "richer" from its control of some Trans-Saharan trade routes; most of eastern and south-eastern Niger, including Bilma and Kaouar ,

12690-590: The later 18th century some Fulani were unhappy with the syncretic form of Islam practised there; exploiting also the populace's disdain with corruption amongst the Hausa elite, the Fulani scholar Usman Dan Fodio (from Gobir) declared a jihad in 1804. After conquering most of Hausaland (though not the Bornu Kingdom, which remained independent), he proclaimed the Sokoto Caliphate in 1809. Some of

12825-410: The military and, with French assistance, help others return to a productive civilian life. The governmental paralysis prompted the military to intervene; on 27 January 1996, Col. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara led a coup that deposed President Ousmane and ended the Third Republic. Maïnassara headed a Conseil de Salut National (National Salvation Council) composed of military officials which carried out

12960-615: The military government was to address the food crisis. Whilst political prisoners of the Diori regime were released after the coup, political and individual freedoms in general deteriorated during this period. There were attempted coups (in 1975, 1976 and 1984) which were thwarted, their instigators being punished. Kountché sought to create a 'development society', funded mostly by the uranium mines in Agadez Region . Parastatal companies were created, infrastructure (building and new roads, schools, health centres) constructed, and there

13095-531: The morning, the Nigerien presidency 's Twitter account announced that presidential guards, commanded by General Abdourahamane Tchiani engaged in an "anti-Republican demonstration" and tried "in vain" to obtain the support of the other security forces. It also said that President Mohamed Bazoum and his family were well after reports emerged that he was being held in the Presidential Palace in

13230-448: The north and Chad to the east. Niger lies between latitudes 11° and 24°N , and longitudes 0° and 16°E . Its area is 1,267,000 square kilometres (489,191 sq mi) of which 300 square kilometres (116 sq mi) is water. This makes it less than twice the size of France , and the world's 21st largest country. Niger borders seven countries and has a total perimeter of 5,697 kilometres (3,540 mi). The longest border

13365-463: The north. And while the government subsequently announced a number of programs to improve local infrastructure and economic opportunity, it lacked the resources to follow through on most of them. As a result, Tuareg grievances remained largely unaddressed, and a seething resentment continued in many Tuareg communities after 1964. Clearly, the problem of instability in the north had simply been deferred, not resolved. Niger Niger , officially

13500-561: The overall direction of a single party (the Mouvement National pour la Société du Développement , or MNSD). A Second Republic was declared and a new constitution was drawn up, which was adopted following a referendum in 1989. General Saibou became the first president of the Second Republic after winning the presidential election on 10 December 1989. President Saibou's efforts to control political reforms failed in

13635-408: The palace, but were dispersed by the Presidential Guard with gunfire, leaving one injured. Elsewhere in Niamey, the situation was described as calm. The Presidency also claimed that protests in support of Bazoum had occurred around the country's overseas diplomatic missions. In response to these events, Niger's armed forces surrounded the presidential palace in support of Bazoum. The Army also issued

13770-459: The population. French is the country's official language, although it is spoken mainly as a second language and by a minority of the population; ten indigenous languages have the status of national language , of which Hausa is the most spoken one. According to the UN's Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report of 2023, Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. Some non-desert portions of

13905-477: The prehistoric African humid period , the climate of the Sahara was wetter and more fertile, a phenomenon archaeologists refer to as the "Green Sahara", which provided "favourable" conditions for hunting and later agriculture and livestock herding. The Neolithic era, beginning circa 10,000 BC, saw a number of changes such as the introduction of pottery (as evidenced at Tagalagal, Temet and Tin Ouffadene),

14040-644: The premises, leading police to disperse them with tear gas. Demonstrations also occurred in front of the National Assembly . This prompted the Interior Ministry in the evening to ban on all demonstrations with immediate effect. Civil servants were also told to stay home. General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself as the president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland in an address on Télé Sahel. He said

14175-473: The presidential palace, while his daughters were in Paris at the time of the coup. Bazoum and his family were still in detention in mid-November 2023, reportedly with little food, water, or electricity. In the morning the palace and adjacent ministries were blocked off by military vehicles and palace staff were prevented from accessing their offices. Up to 400 civilian supporters of Bazoum tried to approach

14310-485: The previous single-party system of the 1989 Constitution and guaranteed more freedoms. The new constitution was adopted by a referendum on 26 December 1992. Following this, presidential elections were held and Mahamane Ousmane became the first president of the Third Republic on 27 March 1993. Ousmane's presidency saw four government changes and legislative elections in 1995, and an economic slump. The violence in Agadez Region continued during this period, prompting

14445-499: The putschists, led by General Moussa Salaou Barmou , visited Conakry to ask Guinea for support, and was received by the head of the Guinean junta, Mamadi Doumbouya . On 13 August, the junta announced that it would prosecute Bazoum for "high treason" and "undermining the country's security". On 20 August, Tchiani promised to return Niger to civilian rule within three years after meeting ECOWAS mediators in Niamey. On 22 August,

14580-417: The rebellion. It then placed the Tuareg-populated northern regions under a repressive military administration. Many of Mali's Tuareg fled as refugees to neighboring countries. While the government had succeeded in ending the rebellion, its coercive measures alienated many Tuaregs who had not supported the insurgents. Atrocities and human rights abuses on both sides contributed to a climate of fear and distrust in

14715-408: The regime "due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance." He also announced the dissolution of the country's constitution , the suspension of all state institutions, the closure of the country's borders and a nationwide curfew from 22:00 until 05:00 local time, while warning against any foreign intervention. The curfew was later lifted on 4 August. One of the officers seen during

14850-441: The region being called a " coup belt ". Niger is a member of ECOWAS , which has already suspended Guinea , Mali and Burkina Faso from membership due to successful coups in recent years. Bola Tinubu , President of Nigeria , was appointed Chairman of ECOWAS on 9 July 2023 and warned that they will not allow another coup in the region and would take up these issues with the African Union and Western countries. Analysts cite

14985-472: The reign of Askia Mohammad I (r. 1493–1528); at this point the empire had expanded from its Niger-bend heartland, including to the east where most of later western Niger fell under its rule, including Agadez which was conquered in 1496. The empire was unable to withstand repeated attacks from the Saadi dynasty of Morocco and was decisively defeated at the Battle of Tondibi in 1591; it then collapsed into

15120-478: The resistance of queen Sarraounia , captain Voulet and his men murdered all the inhabitants of the village of Birni-N'Konni in what is regarded as "one of the worst massacres in French colonial history". The "brutal" methods of Voulet and Chanoine caused a "scandal" and Paris was forced to intervene; when Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-François Klobb caught up with the mission near Tessaoua to relieve them of command he

15255-512: The resulting rapid population growth . The name comes from the Niger River which flows through the west of the country. The origin of the river's name is uncertain. Alexandrian geographer Ptolemy wrote descriptions of the wadi Gir (in neighbouring modern Algeria ) and the Ni-Gir ' Lower Gir ' to the south, possibly referring to the Niger River. The modern spelling Niger

15390-467: The rising cost of living and perceptions of government "incompetence", as well as Bazoum's plans to replace the head of the presidential guard, General Abdourahmane Tchiani as possible triggers for the coup. The country frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index and has also suffered from Islamist insurgencies led by Al-Qaeda , Islamic State and Boko Haram , despite its military receiving training and logistical support from

15525-481: The rule of Mai Idris Alooma (r. circa 1575–1610) and re-conquered most of the "traditional lands" of Kanem, hence the designation 'Kanem–Bornu' for the empire. By the 17th century and into the 18th the Bornu kingdom had entered a "period of decline", shrinking back to its Lake Chad heartland. Circa 1730–40 a group of Kanuri settlers led by Mallam Yunus left Kanem and founded the Sultanate of Damagaram , centred on

15660-413: The rule of Mansa Musa (r. 1312–1337). At this point parts of what are now Niger's Tillabéri Region fell under Malian rule. A Muslim, Mansa Musa performed the hajj in 1324–25 and encouraged the spread of Islam in the empire, and it "appears that most ordinary citizens continued to maintain their traditional animist beliefs instead of or alongside the new religion". The empire began "declining" in

15795-503: The same day, ECOWAS leaders said they would immediately enforce a no-fly zone over the country for all commercial flights, and a closure of borders with Niger. A series of sanctions was also announced, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger and the freezing of assets and travel restrictions for military personnel involved in the coup. A planned 30 billion CFA franc ($ 51 million) bond issuance by Niger scheduled for 31 July in

15930-422: The second largest landlocked nation in Africa behind Chad. Over 80% of its land area lies in the Sahara . Its predominantly Muslim population of about 25 million lives mostly in clusters in the south and west of the country. The capital Niamey is located in Niger's southwest corner along the namesake Niger River . Following the spread of Islam to the region, Niger was on the fringes of some states, including

16065-648: The security and political risk consultancy Dragonfly, said that Bazoum's removal could lead to the Wagner Group expanding into Niger, given that the country is an important producer of uranium . At the time of the coup, a major oil pipeline that would be the longest in Africa at 1,980 kilometers in length was under construction. It would connect the oil fields of the Agadem oasis, in the Erg of Bilma , in Diffa , Niger with

16200-626: The south was finalised in 1910, a rough delimitation having already been agreed by the two powers via treaties during the period 1898–1906. The capital of the territory was moved to Zinder in 1912 when the Niger Military Territory was split off from Upper Senegal and Niger, before being moved back to Niamey in 1922 when Niger became a fully fledged colony within French West Africa . The borders of Niger were drawn up in stages and had been fixed at their later position by

16335-548: The spread of Islam . It was aided by the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb in the 7th century, the result of three Arab invasions, which resulted in population movements to the south. Empires and kingdoms existed in the Sahel during this era. The following adopts a roughly chronological account of some empires. The Mali Empire was a Mandinka empire founded by Sundiata Keita (r. 1230–1255) in c.  1230 and existed until

16470-491: The spread of cattle husbandry, and the burying of the dead in stone tumuli . As the climate changed in the period 4000–2800 BC the Sahara gradually began drying out , forcing a change in settlement patterns to the south and east. Agriculture spread, including the planting of millet and sorghum , and pottery production. Iron and copper items appear in this era, with finds including those at Azawagh , Takedda , Marendet and

16605-552: The town of Zinder . The sultanate remained nominally subject to the Borno Empire until the reign of Sultan Tanimoune Dan Souleymane in the 19th century, who declared independence and initiated a phase of expansion. The sultanate managed to resist the advance of the Sokoto Caliphate ( see below ), and was later captured by the French in 1899. Between the Niger River and Lake Chad lay Hausa Kingdoms , encompassing

16740-475: The trade unions. Following fraudulent local elections in 1999 the opposition ceased any cooperation with the Maïnassara regime. In unknown circumstances (possibly attempting to flee the country), Maïnassara was assassinated at Niamey Airport on 9 April 1999. Maj. Daouda Malam Wanké then took over, establishing a transitional National Reconciliation Council to oversee the drafting of a constitution with

16875-664: The use of Niger as a transit country for migrants (often organised by people-smuggling gangs ). French and American forces assisted Niger in countering these threats. On 10 December 2019, a large group of fighters belonging to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS) attacked a military post in Inates , killing over seventy soldiers and kidnapping others. The attack was the deadliest single incident Niger's military has ever experienced. On 9 January 2020,

17010-531: Was also expelled in October after the junta alleged "underhanded maneuvers" by U.N secretary-general António Guterres to prevent the country's participation in the UN General Assembly. In October the U.S. officially designated the takeover as a coup, suspending most Niger–US military cooperation as well as hundreds of millions of dollars of foreign assistance programs. In April 2024, Russian military trainers and equipment began to arrive in Niger under

17145-413: Was corruption in government agencies, which Kountché did not hesitate to punish. In the 1980s, Kountché began cautiously loosening the grip of the military, with some relaxation of state censorship and attempts made to 'civilianise' the regime. The economic boom ended following the collapse in uranium prices, and IMF -led austerity and privatisation measures provoked opposition by some Nigeriens. In 1985,

17280-403: Was enacted in 2010, establishing a multiparty, unitary semi-presidential system. Following the most recent coup in 2023 , the country is once again under a military junta . Its society reflects a diversity drawn from the independent histories of some ethnic groups and regions and their period living in a single state. The Hausa are the country's largest ethnic group, making up more than half

17415-592: Was first recorded by Berber scholar Leo Africanus in 1550, possibly derived from the Tuareg phrase the (e)gărăw-n-gărăwăn meaning ' river of rivers ' . There is broad consensus among linguists that it does not derive from the Latin niger ' black ' as was first erroneously believed. The standard pronunciation in English is / n iː ˈ ʒ ɛər / , while in some Anglophone media / ˈ n aɪ dʒ ər /

17550-625: Was in 2021 when military dissidents tried to seize the presidential palace two days before the inauguration of president-elect Mohamed Bazoum . He was the country's first democratically elected president to assume office from a similarly elected predecessor. The coup also came in the wake of recent coups in nearby countries, such as in Guinea , Mali , and Sudan in 2021, and two in Burkina Faso in January and September 2022, which has led to

17685-473: Was killed. Lt. Paul Joalland , Klobb's former officer, and Lt. Octave Meynier eventually took over the mission following a mutiny in which Voulet and Chanoine were killed. The Military Territory of Niger was subsequently created within the Upper Senegal and Niger colony (later Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) in December 1904 with its capital at Niamey . The border with Britain's colony of Nigeria to

17820-519: Was not in contact with the military. Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu declared their support for the coup, hailing the coup plotters for fighting against neo-colonialism and imperialism. The military junta of Myanmar expressed support for the coup. Cameron Hudson, a senior associate of the Center for Strategic and International Studies , said that

17955-530: Was supportive of ECOWAS in its anti-junta stance; Modi was replaced a few weeks later. Coup leader Abdourahamane Tchiani stated that the Nigerien military overthrew Bazoum due to rising insecurity in regard to jihadism , but jihadist violence was decreasing at the time of the coup. In 2022, the country became the hub of France's anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel region following its expulsion from Mali and Burkina Faso , with Bazoum being described as one of

18090-585: Was unable to occupy Agadez until 1906. Tuareg resistance continued, culminating in the Kaocen revolt of 1916–1917, led by Ag Mohammed Wau Teguidda Kaocen , with backing from the Senussi in Fezzan ; the revolt was violently suppressed and Kaocen fled to Fezzan where he was later killed. A puppet sultan was set up by the French and the "decline and marginalisation" of the north of the colony continued, exacerbated by

18225-535: Was under Kanem's control in this period. Islam had been introduced to the kingdom by Arab traders from the 11th century, gaining more converts over the following centuries. Attacks by the Bulala people in the 14th century forced Kanem to shift westwards of Lake Chad where it became known as the Bornu Empire ruled from its capital Ngazargamu on what is later the Niger-Nigeria border . Bornu "prospered" during

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