Three years after the military takeover in Niamey, Niger finds itself in a delicate diplomatic standoff with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional body, which swiftly condemned the coup against President Mohamed Bazoum, continues to demand his reinstatement—a position that has only deepened the rift between Niamey and Abuja.
The situation took a sharper turn in July 2023 when ECOWAS issued an ultimatum, threatening military intervention if constitutional order wasn’t restored. This stance was met with fierce opposition from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, both under military rule, which declared the ultimatum an act of hostility. Together with Niger, they later formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a decisive break from ECOWAS. Though the three nations formally withdrew from the bloc in January 2025, informal channels of communication remain open.
ECOWAS turns to mediation
The deadlock has prompted ECOWAS to seek fresh mediation efforts, with the appointment of former Guinean Prime Minister Lansana Kouyaté as lead negotiator for the bloc. His assignment was formalized at a recent ECOWAS summit in Freetown, where new Commission President Birame Diop of Senegal was tasked with prioritizing regional security concerns in upcoming discussions.
“This marks the beginning of a promising process. Both sides are aligned in their willingness to engage,” noted Pape Ibrahima Kane, an expert on international organizations. He emphasized Niger’s unique vulnerabilities, particularly its reliance on Nigeria and Benin for electricity and access to the Port of Cotonou—dependencies that could shape future negotiations.
Benin’s leadership in easing tensions
The appointment of Romuald Wadagni as Benin’s new president has injected renewed momentum into diplomatic efforts. Wadagni made Niger his first official visit after taking office, followed by stops in Burkina Faso and Mali. His approach contrasts sharply with predecessors like Alassane Ouattara and Macky Sall, whose leadership was often criticized by the AES states.
Pape Ibrahima Kane highlighted the potential for progress under the new ECOWAS leadership in Abuja, noting that the bloc’s agenda is shifting away from its previous confrontational stance. Meanwhile, Sahanine Mahamadou, a senior advisor to Mohamed Bazoum, argued that dialogue has always been ECOWAS’s preferred path—but that the military leadership in Niamey has repeatedly rejected it.
“If these leaders are true patriots, they must pave the way for civilian governance. Times have changed; military rule is no longer tenable in our states,” Mahamadou stated, subtly reiterating calls for Bazoum’s return. The deposed president has not signed his resignation letter, and a recent European Parliament resolution condemned his detention—though Niamey dismissed it as meddling.
Bazoum’s detention: a hurdle to EU-Niger relations
The detention of Mohamed Bazoum remains a sticking point in Europe’s engagement with Niger. Jérôme Pigné, founder of a Sahel-focused think tank, described the situation as a “balancing act” for the EU, torn between upholding democratic values and maintaining pragmatic cooperation with Niamey.
Pigné pointed out that Niger was once a key EU partner, and Brussels is now reassessing its cooperation framework with the country and its neighbors. “Dialogue is essential and ongoing,” he noted, though he acknowledged that the EU’s leverage is limited in pushing for change within the current regime. A recent study by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) suggested that Europe could offer substantial support to stabilize the region—including military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and economic aid—while continuing political engagement with local actors.
The SWP emphasized that expecting immediate behavioral shifts from the juntas is unrealistic. Instead, it urged the EU to focus on long-term stability, warning that coercive measures alone would not yield results.
“Europe should not hope to alter the juntas’ behavior overnight,” the report concluded.
