Niger's Security Threat from Within : Regional Analysis - West Africa

In mid-December 2015, nine military officers were arrested on charges of planning to assassinate or overthrow Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou. The veracity of these charges is the subject of some debate, but this incident appears to be yet another example of a major security disruption arising from within the Nigerien security and military establishment. Niger has experienced a spate of coups d'état, most recently in 2010, but going back in 1999, 1996 and further to 1974; and at least two plots against current President Issoufou, in 2011 and 2015. Every single one of these incidents has involved officers from either the Nigerien Army or the Nigerien National Guard. Unsurprisingly, this has resulted in a dysfunctional relationship between the various executive bodies and those military structures. Given Niger's critical role in regional security, as an active participant in regional counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts - such dysfunctionality is of regional significance.