Abstract:
The recent coups or undemocratic ascensions to power that have characterized Africa have caused a great deal of concern, particularly in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional bloc has seen unprecedented military takeovers that are threatening to spread across the region if caution is not taken. The military takeover in Mali and Burkina Faso then Niger Republic have destabilized the region, halting major proposed projects that were expected to drive regional integration forward. Niger Republic particularly, has been masked with decades of great turmoil and coups that were a result of the country's economic landscape, which disadvantaged many Nigeriens and led to the devaluation of the CFA, frequent Structural Adjustment Programs, and stringent education measures and policies, which would further disenfranchise the average Nigerien. This study first looked at the background of Niger Republic's political economy from the 1980s to 1994, the causes of the 26 July 2023 Coup and some of the implications of the coup on both Niger and ECOWAS, as well as some recommendations or strategies that would remedy the situation.
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