In an unexpected turn of events reminiscent of the Iraq War era, key figures of the recent coup in Niger have been identified as allies previously trained by the US military.
During the Iraq War, the United States' largest prisoner camp in Iraq, Camp Bucca, unintentionally served as a breeding ground for the Islamic State (ISIS). The camp is infamous for nurturing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a former ISIS leader, and fostering connections between like-minded extremists, many of whom later joined ISIS leadership.
Recent revelations suggest that the US may have inadvertently made a similar misstep in Niger. Several top military officials involved in the Nigerien coup had previously received training from the US military. This includes Special Forces Commander Moussa Salaou Barmou, who has known the US military for three decades, having studied in Texas at Lackland Air Force Base in his younger years.
During recent negotiations, Barmou and US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland had heated discussions, where the coup leaders threatened to execute detained President Bazoum if foreign forces intervened in Niger.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) previously warned of a potential military intervention in Niger. On August 10, ECOWAS convened an emergency meeting, announcing its regional standby forces' readiness to address the crisis in Niger.
US Military Links with Nigerien Coup Leaders
A report by investigative news outlet The Intercept, citing anonymous US officials and leaked documents from WikiLeaks, reveals that at least five people involved in the Nigerien coup had been trained by the US military. This includes the leader of the coup, Commander Abdourahmane Tiani of the Nigerien presidential guard.
Tiani, now the head of the "Committee to Protect the Homeland," had attended an anti-terrorism training program in Washington at the US National Defense University between 2009 and 2010. Further, US Defense Department records show that the masterminds behind this coup, including the Nigerien presidential guard and special forces commanders, had also undergone US military training between 2017 and 2018.
In a similar vein, Barmou had studied at the US National Defense University and received training in Georgia's Fort Benning. The Wall Street Journal reported that Barmou has been familiar with the US military for 30 years, maintaining direct communication lines with several US officials. Some even consider Barmou a friend, with several American and British officers attending a New Year's party at his residence in 2021.
Niger has been a strategic military point for both the US and France in Africa, with both countries stationing over 1000 troops each in the region. The US has invested nearly $500 million in training and military aid for the Nigerien armed forces.
Post-coup, the US hoped Barmou could mediate the situation and restore President Bazoum to power. However, in a two-hour talk with Nuland, Barmou rejected the US-proposed solutions.
Reacting to the developments, US Senator Chris Murphy commented on Twitter about the repeated US error of training African coup leaders, questioning America's strategic investments in the continent.
ECOWAS Activates Standby Forces
Though ECOWAS threatened military intervention in Niger, they have yet to act. After their recent emergency meeting, they condemned the coup and announced various measures, including border closures, travel restrictions, and freezing assets related to the coup participants.
ECOWAS also emphasized the importance of restoring constitutional order in Niger through peaceful means, urging international organizations like the African Union and the United Nations to support their resolutions.
Before the coup in Niger, ECOWAS, consisting of 15 member states, had witnessed coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea in recent years. These countries have expressed support for the Nigerien coup, with Mali and Burkina Faso even stating that any military action against Niger would be seen as an act of war against them.
The situation in Niger has also impacted major infrastructure projects. A Chinese company's construction of Niger's largest hydropower station, the Kaidaji Hydropower Station, has been halted due to sanctions.
Many countries have invested heavily in various sectors in Niger, including France in uranium mining, Morocco in telecommunications, banking, and real estate, and China in infrastructure, energy, and mining.
China, in particular, has deepened its ties with Niger through several multi-billion-dollar projects. These projects include the construction of roads, bridges, and railways that have the potential to boost Niger's transportation and trade capacities. Additionally, Chinese companies have taken a significant interest in the oil sector of Niger, aiming to meet China's ever-growing energy needs.
Furthermore, China's state-owned enterprises have shown considerable interest in Niger's rich mineral resources beyond oil, especially in areas like gold and rare earth minerals. Investments in these sectors offer China a reliable source of raw materials for its burgeoning industries, while simultaneously providing Niger with much-needed infrastructure development and employment opportunities.
In recent years, India has also emerged as an investor in Niger, particularly in the areas of agriculture and information technology. Indian companies have engaged in projects that focus on improving crop yields, introducing modern farming techniques, and developing technology-based solutions for local challenges.
The European Union, too, has been involved in various developmental projects in Niger, focusing on areas like health, education, and renewable energy. The goal of these projects is to strengthen Niger's socioeconomic fabric and uplift the overall quality of life for its citizens.
These foreign investments, while beneficial in many ways, also bring about certain challenges. Issues such as environmental concerns, displacement of local communities, and the risk of economic dependency on foreign nations remain pivotal. It is essential for the government of Niger to strike a balance between attracting foreign investments and safeguarding the interests of its citizens. In doing so, the potential for sustainable growth and development in Niger can be realized.
