Despite the apparent public support for the coup leaders, analysts say the military has not managed to exert full control over the country.
“This junta is throwing every tactic it has heard about and seeing if it will work.
They have professed to have freedom of choice, yet they have repressed all of the pro-Bazoum protests, and my understanding is that there have been demonstrations or attempted demonstrations all over the country,” said Bisa Williams, who served as a former US ambassador to Niger.
“I have heard lots of reports of discontent within the military, and you are seeing a lot of vulnerability in Niger right now since so many of the armed forces have been pulled into Niamey and away from the outskirts of the other regions of the country, leaving these areas wide open,” she told Al Jazeera.
“So, there’s disorientation, there’s confusion, and I understand there’s a lot of discord in the ranks.”
Prior to the coup, Western countries had seen Niger as one of the last democratic nations they could partner with to beat back al-Qaeda and ISIL in the Sahel region and poured millions of dollars of military aid and assistance into shoring up Niger’s forces.
But the political turmoil in Niger has strengthened the hand of these groups, with former fighters telling The Associated Press they have been taking advantage of the freedom of movement caused by the suspended military operations of the French and US troops as well as the distracted Nigerien army.
Last week, at least 17 soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in an ambush by fighters. It was the first major attack against Niger’s army in six months.
A day later, at least 50 civilians were killed in the Tillaberi region by fighters believed to be members of ISIL, the AP reported, citing an internal security report for aid groups.
“While Niger’s leaders are consumed by politics in the capital, the drumbeat of lethal jihadist attacks goes on in the countryside,” said Corinne Dufka, a political analyst who specialises in the Sahel region.
“The recent attacks should motivate all parties to work for as speedy and inclusive a transition as possible so they can get back to the crucial business of protecting civilians from the devastating consequences of war,” she told the AP.
Source: Al-Jazeera
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