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This Is Why

The Niger coup and how it will impact global security

This Is Why

Sky News

News, News Commentary, Daily News

4.0552 Ratings

🗓️ 8 August 2023

⏱️ 23 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Niger had been a lone bastion of democracy in West Africa while neighbouring countries were taken over by the military - but it is now also in a crisis following July's coup.

The man responsible for protecting President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected in 2021, has overthrown him - and there could be far-reaching security implications.

On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood is joined by our Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir, who looks at why the coup has the support of many people in Niger. Plus, defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke examines what the crisis means for counter-terrorism efforts in Africa.

Senior podcast producer - Annie Joyce
Interviews producer: Alex Edden
Podcast promotion producer - David Chipakupaku
Editor - Wendy Parker

Transcript

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0:00.0

Luton Airport Express from St Pancras featuring little prices. Only got 32 minutes to go. Comes every 30 minutes, you know. So turn up your radio. We'll turn the price way down low. Look ahead and get a dealio. Starts where my turner and you're good to go. Nothing worse than traffic. So slow. Would it happen on a train? Heck no. 32 minutes, tte, tte, t, no traffic. Because it's a train

0:23.9

Tuck, Tuck, Tuck. Because it's a train. Tup, Tup, T'U. Lunar Airport Express. 32 minutes to go. Easter eggs? M&S, of course. I mean, the new Chok Mark's egg. With salted pretzel pieces and honey almond new guy is pretty spectacular and what

0:39.1

about the big daddy loaded half egg filled with caramel and peanut chunks and dark chocolate pieces

0:45.2

or the Swiss chocolate crispy cloud egg with crunchy corn flakes salted caramel and

0:51.2

almond yes please so if you're looking for amazing eggs, it's got to be

0:55.3

M&S. This is not just food. This is M&S food. Selected stores.

1:02.6

Niger was a lone example of democracy in West Africa in recent years, and so it had become

1:08.6

a key Western ally. Its president saw in the first peaceful transition of power

1:13.6

since Niger gained independence from France more than 60 years ago.

1:18.6

But...

1:20.6

He's now been ousted by the very man who, as head of the Presidential Guard,

1:25.6

should have been protecting him from a military coup.

1:29.9

Now, the new regime appears to have support among many people in Niger.

1:35.9

But it is worrying Western leaders.

1:38.8

The Americans, who have a big military base in the country,

1:42.2

sent in a top official to talk to the junta,

1:45.4

but she wasn't even able to meet the coup leader.

1:48.5

We'll speak to our defence and security analyst, Professor Michael Clark,

1:51.7

about the global security concerns in just a moment.

1:54.9

It is a very difficult situation, and there's almost nothing that the Western world can do

1:59.7

to prevent that, at least in the next two or three years.

2:03.1

But first, our Africa correspondent, Usera Albuquer, on the crisis in Niger.

...

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