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Research Paper | Peace and Conflict Studies | Nigeria | Volume 12 Issue 8, August 2023

Dynamics of Political Struggle and Transition: Unraveling the 2021 Coup Attempt in Niger Republic

Olorunfemi ARIRABIYI - IBRAHIM

Abstract: The Niger Republic is located right in the heart of the Sahel and shares borders with Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Algeria, and Libya. Since its independence in 1960, Nig?r has been directly or indirectly found itself confronted by many conflicts and natural challenges, such as drought, political manipulation, and leadership struggles amongst the political classes, before the advent of the religious and violent extremist groups in its Southern border, Nigeria; separatist and militant movements in the northern border, Mali, and the State collapse in Libya which causes proliferation of arms and ammunitions from about 2011. As the result of Niger?s dynamic but complex political system with its various actors trying to balance themselves out, there is always competition due to class, status, and interest. These constantly become the driver of struggle amongst the actors which include the lifetime politicians, the military, the Sheikhs, and some selected traditional rulers. For this, and coupled with external involvements, Nig?r has between 1960 and 2010 witnesses not less than seven Republic with four coup d??tats. Notwithstanding, the coup that overthrew Tandja in 2010, one can say without contradiction that the regime of Tandja from 1999 sets Nig?r on the democratic path which continues with the transition from one democratically elected President handing over to another in 2021. This paper argues that the coup d??tat of 2021 can neither be blamed on bad governance nor insecurity but rather on the political profiteers who feel annihilated by the Centre. This paper adopts a qualitative research methodology, and the research is done based on a case study strategy of inquiry because the topic is bounded by time and activities. The data was conducted based on desktop - verified secondary data collection using publications, periodicals, archival materials, foreign electronic media, and materials from the world bank and other regional organisations whose reports are relevant to this work. Theoretically, the paper anchors its explanation of the topic on the theory of violence and argues in its conclusion that neither bad governance nor insecurity accounted for the attempted coup of 2021 that took place just at the behest of handing over to another democratically elected government in an election adjudged by both local and international observer as free, credible, fair and said to have to conform substantially with World best practices.

Keywords: Bad Governance, Insecurity, Coup d??tat, Niger

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 8, August 2023,

Pages: 1804 - 1811