Photo : July, Souleymane Ag Anara, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : July, Souleymane Ag Anara, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prearana P
Niger: Governing party’s headquarters burnt down amid rising condemnation
On 26 July, the spokesperson of the Niger’s army Colonel Amadow Abdramane said that the military has “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.” Abramane added that Niger’s borders are closed, curfews are placed and government institutions are suspended. On 27 July, amid rising condemnation from the international community, the ruling party’s headquarters in Niamey was burnt down by the coup supporters. The same day, Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum tweeted: “The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it.” Countries including the US, Germany, France, Russia and the UN called for the release of the President and for democracy to return. France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs said: “We firmly condemn the coup that took place in Niger against the country’s civilian democratic authorities.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared the coup as “unconstitutional.” (Niger’s Bazoum: ‘Hard-won’ democratic gains will be protected despite coup,” Al Jazeera, 27 July 2023; “Niger situation remains ‘fluid’ as army backs coup plotters,” Al Jazeera, 27 July 2023)
Africa: Russia’s President proposes free grain for six African countries
On 27 July, Al Jazeera reported that following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, offered to send free grain to six African countries. According to Putin, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic will receive nearly 50,000 tonnes of grain over the next three to four months, stating: “I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year.” Putin made the statements at a summit he attended with nearly 50 African leaders. However, an official from the Centre for Global Development said that grain aid will fall short of securing food needs in Africa. (“Russia making efforts to avert food crisis, Putin tells African nations,” Al Jazeera, 27 July 2023)