In Niamey, Niger, this week, a large gathering took place featuring individuals from junta-led nations within Africa’s Sahel region. The event, characterized by vibrant music and cultural exhibitions, aimed to denounce what attendees labeled as an imperialistic agenda by Western nations while bolstering support for their military governments.
The three-day conference, which concluded on Thursday, saw participation from delegates of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The military leaders of these nations are actively seeking to solidify their popular backing after unseating democratically elected administrations and cutting ties with traditional Western allies, notably France. Instead, they are pivoting towards Russia as their preferred partner.
As these three countries approach the completion of their year-long withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), they are vocal about their belief that the bloc is under French influence, especially regarding sanctions imposed due to the recent coups. They also criticize ECOWAS for its failure to effectively combat the escalating extremist violence that plagues their interconnected borders.
During the conference, a variety of participants came together, including youth and women groups supportive of the junta, civil society representatives, and international allies. Discussions centered around pressing issues like national sovereignty and emerging economic and security partnerships within the framework of the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The event was adorned with the colors and cultural motifs of the three nations, showcased through traditional clothing and musical performances. Nigerien artist Idi Sarki led a pro-junta song that recalled the military coup of July 2023, passionately declaring to the crowd, “Nigeriens, wake up, we don’t want the French army on our land anymore.” He advocated for energy and economic independence, emphasizing that the people of sub-Saharan Africa must take charge of their resources.
A women’s musical ensemble also stepped forward to pay homage to African youth, expressing that a collective awakening had sparked a newfound hope for freedom. Their leader articulated, “After so many years of suffering, the youths rise today in an awakening of conscience for a fight towards hope and freedom,” while dressed in traditional attire.
Despite pledges from the military governments to tackle the issues that led to their ascension, widespread challenges like violence and economic hardship have continued, and in fact, escalated in some areas. In particular, in Mali, where a military junta took power in 2020, the interim civilian prime minister was dismissed after voicing concerns regarding delays in the promised elections that were meant to establish a new government.
Attendees of the conference, however, maintained a sense of hope regarding the potential for the military administrations to bring about long-desired democratic benefits. Ali Moussa, a participant from Gabon—another nation under military rule—questioned, “How can we live under a so-called democracy, when there are no schools?” He asserted that the time for mere discussions of democracy had passed.
In addition, participants emphasized that the movement for sovereignty and an anti-imperialist stance should resonate throughout the continent. Inem Richardson, who runs a pan-African library in Burkina Faso, declared, “All of Africa needs to unite … the masses should be 100% engaged.”