Burkina Faso and Niger: Two Military Regimes, Two Diverging Paths By Raymond Enoch – Special Report.
As political turbulence continues to shake the Sahel, the military regimes of Burkina Faso and Niger .They are providing starkly contrasting examples of military power in transition. While Burkina Faso grapples with internal unrest and alleged coup plots, Niger’s leadership under General Abdourahmane Tiani projects a measured reality of military governance.
In recent months, Burkina Faso has found itself at the center of yet another failed coup attempt—this time allegedly led by a former insider, Commander Joanny Compaoré, a senior military engineer and former head of the state-run oil company, SONABHY.
Compaoré, a close ally of ousted leader Paul-Henri Damiba, is accused of orchestrating an elaborate plan to unseat Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the man who led the 2022 uprising that toppled Damiba. Security sources say Compaoré, now in exile, embezzled billions of CFA francs from SONABHY and used those resources to mobilize soldiers, promising financial incentives to execute a new coup under a proposed transitional government labeled “MSPR3.”
What makes the story more alarming is the alleged involvement of high-ranking figures within the current regime. Investigations point to the possible complicity of the President’s Chief of Cabinet and the Chief of Staff, who reportedly received foreign funds and arms to support the coup effort. The government has confirmed that 25 billion CFA francs were funneled into the operation, with weapons suspected to have originated from France.
Although the destabilization attempt failed, it underscored the fragility of Traoré’s hold on power. Several senior military figures have been arrested, including Magistrate-Commander Frédéric Ouédraogo and Captain Elysée Tassembedo. Their detainment, along with others from elite units like the Rapid Intervention Battalion, reveals growing fractures within the armed forces in Burkina Faso
With public trust wavering and internal divisions rising, the Traoré-led government now faces the dual burden of suppressing insurgency threats while maintaining cohesion within its own military ranks.
In contrast, Niger’s transition under General Abdourahmane Tiani, who assumed power in July 2023, has been marked by relative calm and a strong emphasis on national unity though with high economic challenges.
Niger, unlike its Sahelian counterparts, does not have a deeply rooted tradition of military coups of recent. The country has experienced only four in over six decades. Tiani, who leads the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), is said to have opted for an approach that emphasizes dialogue, religious values, and traditional leadership structures.
His government is composed of senior military officers with administrative experience and knowledge of human rights and civil governance—many of whom served in prior regimes. This blend of military command and political familiarity has helped Tiani avoid the kind of instability witnessed in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.
One of the key drivers of Niger’s relative stability is the inclusion of religious and traditional leaders in the governance process. The predominantly Muslim population, known for its deference to moral authority, has responded positively to Tiani’s efforts to consult Islamic scholars and community elders on key national matters.
From organizing national dialogue forums to implementing grassroots-driven policy recommendations, Tiani has demonstrated a consultative leadership style that has garnered respect across both the military and civil society.
While both Burkina Faso and Niger are governed by military regimes, their trajectories could not be more different. Traoré’s administration is increasingly seen as embattled, caught in a cycle of internal dissent, coup threats, and growing mistrust—even among its supporters. In contrast, Tiani has managed to unify key stakeholders and avoid the pitfalls of factionalism, despite the pressures that typically accompany military-led governments.
Yet, challenges remain for both nations. In Burkina Faso, the need for transparency and credible investigations is paramount to prevent further erosion of legitimacy. In Niger, the delicate balance between military oversight and democratic transition must be carefully maintained to avoid complacency or regression.
As the Sahel continues to navigate one of its most politically uncertain eras in modern history, the experiences of these two nations provide valuable lessons—not just about the perils of power, but about the possibilities of reform through inclusive leadership.
