Quote (ferdia @ 11 Aug 2023 01:15)
I must admit I know absolutely nothing of that conflict. ill do some reading over the weekend.
TLDR:
A pro-Western, democratically elected minority (Arab) president got ousted by a military junta.
Commentators argue that Niger was important to France as its base of operations in Africa and a source of Uranium. There is also a significant American presence on the ground with a base and a significant contingent of soldiers. Claims are made that Wagner PMC assisted in the coup. Calls are made to intervene and restore democratically elected president and two main powers that are able to do that is France and ECOWAS alliance of African nations. France is hesitant, ECOWAS doesn’t seem to be coordinated enough.
Stability in Niger (junta or elected) is also important to Nigeria as land route for a proposed gas pipeline to Europe has to go through Niger. I also understand Niger airspace is now closed creating a massive detour for everyone who wants to fly in Africa (Lybia, Sudan, Niger airspace’s are closed blocking off huge chunk of land).
I’m not sure we have good examples of a military coup d etat leading countries to prosperity (Qadaffi Libya? Assuming you close your eyes on his abuses of power). Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and is proper fucked either way.
Goomshill started a thread here:
https://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=101608717&f=119This post was edited by Malopox on Aug 11 2023 05:32am