Three years after the coup, tiani’s promises face Niger’s harsh realities

From revolutionary discourse to everyday struggles

On July 26, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tiani seized power in Niger, ousting President Mohamed Bazoum. His stated mission rested on three pillars: reclaiming national sovereignty, eradicating terrorism, and ending foreign interference in Niger’s internal affairs. Backed by state-aligned media and nationalist movements, his narrative resonated with citizens exhausted by years of insecurity, economic hardship, and what many perceived as foreign dominance over their country’s affairs.

Yet as the third anniversary of the coup approaches, the gap between rhetoric and reality has grown impossible to ignore. While the government continues to emphasize anti-colonial defiance, Nigeriens are increasingly focused on pressing daily concerns: escalating violence, economic instability, and shrinking civic freedoms.

A new narrative of sovereignty

The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the military junta led by General Tiani, has built its legitimacy on a simple but powerful story: Niger regained its sovereignty by severing ties with Western partners. This narrative thrives on a clear dichotomy presenting the current regime as patriotic and painting former allies as forces that long undermined national interests.

This approach serves multiple purposes. It unites a portion of the population under a shared sense of national pride, deflects internal criticism by labeling dissent as pro-foreign, and shifts attention away from evaluating actual governance performance. However, sovereignty is not merely about breaking diplomatic alliances or expelling foreign forces. It is measured by a state’s ability to protect its people, uphold institutions, preserve fundamental freedoms, and improve living conditions. On these fronts, progress remains widely debated.

Exploiting frustration, but failing to deliver results

The junta has skillfully tapped into deep-seated frustrations—rising insecurity, youth unemployment, deepening inequality, and soaring living costs—to frame its takeover as a historic turning point. Yet over time, official communication has shifted from announcing tangible reforms to sustaining a permanent state of patriotic mobilization. Political rallies, anti-foreign rhetoric, and conspiracy theories dominate the public discourse, while meaningful discussions about policy effectiveness remain scarce.

This shift has transformed political debate. Instead of evaluating governance outcomes, the conversation now revolves around loyalty or opposition to the regime. Accountability, once a cornerstone of democratic practice, has been sidelined in favor of unconditional support or outright resistance. The result is a political culture where performance is secondary to allegiance.

Security remains the unmet promise

Improving security was the cornerstone of the junta’s justification for removing civilian authorities. Yet across several regions, armed groups continue to launch deadly attacks, forcing thousands to flee their homes. Civilians bear the brunt of this violence, which disrupts economic activity, restricts access to essential services, and fractures social cohesion.

The Nigerien military continues to conduct operations across multiple fronts, but repeated assaults on military bases and villages reveal the persistent threat posed by armed factions. These challenges underscore the complexity of a conflict that cannot be resolved simply by changing leadership or realigning international partnerships. Without transparent public metrics, doubts persist about the effectiveness of the current security strategy.

Seeking scapegoats abroad

Faced with mounting difficulties, the regime frequently attributes national crises to external forces. Sanctions from regional blocs, former colonial powers, neighboring states, and foreign networks are consistently cited as the root causes of Niger’s challenges. While regional tensions and geopolitical rivalries do influence the Sahel’s security environment, they cannot fully explain the country’s internal struggles.

This pattern risks transforming every domestic crisis into a diplomatic confrontation, leaving little room for self-reflection, institutional reform, or improved governance. Over time, such a strategy may weaken the state’s capacity for self-criticism and correction, undermining long-term stability.

Economic strain and unfulfilled expectations

Economically, the expectations raised by the regime change have largely gone unmet. Regional sanctions, reduced foreign investment, disrupted trade, and political uncertainty have strained key sectors. Households continue to grapple with rising prices, limited access to goods, and scarce job opportunities. For many, the tangible benefits of political rupture have yet to materialize.

The concept of economic sovereignty, often cited in official speeches, implies long-term improvements in production, infrastructure, public finance, and the business climate. Yet achieving these goals demands sustained policies beyond short-term political gains something that remains elusive under current conditions.

Civic space under pressure

Observers also warn of a steady erosion of public freedoms. Criticism of the government is increasingly met with heightened scrutiny, while journalists, civil society leaders, and opposition figures operate in an environment of growing state vigilance. In many military-led systems, centralized power often comes at the cost of weakened checks and balances. Niger appears to be facing a similar challenge: how to preserve national unity amid security threats without sacrificing the political pluralism essential for responsible governance?

The absence of a clearly defined political transition timeline further fuels uncertainty about the duration of military rule and the prospects for a return to constitutional order.

The weight of unmet demands

National pride can unite a country, but it cannot indefinitely substitute for meaningful results. Sovereignty is not a slogan it is built through strong institutions, resilient economies, credible justice systems, effective security, and transparent governance. Recent Sahel experiences show that no government, civilian or military, can sustain legitimacy solely by denouncing foreign enemies. As time passes, citizens judge their leaders less by their words and more by their ability to improve daily life.

For General Abdourahamane Tiani and the CNSP leadership, the true test is no longer proving that Niger is sovereign, but demonstrating that sovereignty brings tangible benefits: safety, development, justice, and freedom. Without these concrete outcomes, anti-imperialist rhetoric risks being seen not as a path to transformation, but as a tool for political survival.