Strained Sovereignty: The Hidden Struggles of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Under Military Rule.
By Raymond Enoch
The Sahel region of West Africa, once a bastion of regional cooperation, now faces a stark new reality. Since the military takeovers in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, the governments of these countries have espoused a vision of sovereignty and independence from former colonial powers. Yet, beneath the surface of media portrayals of these shifts, the day-to-day lives of their citizens reveal a much harsher truth: rising poverty, escalating insecurity, and a shrinking future.
The most immediate and visible impact of military rule across the region has been economic isolation. Following the coups, all three nations – Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This unprecedented move has disrupted vital trade relationships, affecting commerce worth $150 billion annually.
International aid has sharply declined, with the EU, France, and other donors suspending support. In Niger, for instance, foreign assistance dropped by 78%, forcing the junta to implement a 40% budget cut. The immediate consequence? Soaring commodity prices. A 25kg bag of rice in Niger skyrocketed from 12,500 FCFA to 16,500 FCFA, leaving citizens struggling to afford basic food staples. Mali and Burkina Faso are seeing similar economic turmoil, further deepened by reduced imports and strained domestic markets.
The military governments promised to restore security and stability, but the opposite has occurred. In Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, jihadist violence has intensified, with civilian casualties climbing year after year. In Burkina Faso, attacks surged by 165% in just over 18 months, especially in border regions like Mali. In these rural areas, jihadist groups now hold significant sway, with civilian deaths projected to have exceeded 200 in 2023 alone.
This escalating violence has left citizens in cities like Ouagadougou and Bamako vulnerable. Amidst fears of jihadist incursions, public frustration has reached a boiling point. Protests are common, and many residents, including those in urban centers, are questioning the military regimes’ ability to protect them.
In the face of growing unrest, the juntas have increasingly suppressed dissent. Media freedom, already fragile before the coups, has worsened dramatically. Journalists and civil society activists critical of the regimes face threats, intimidation, and even violence. In Niger and Burkina Faso, the military has expelled international reporters and banned local outlets. The junta in Burkina Faso is accused of involvement in massacres, but the government’s crackdown on media outlets has prevented a full accounting of these alleged atrocities.
Sources has it that in all this three countries public workers have found themselves at the mercy of an increasingly unstable government structure. In Niger, civil servants have faced delays in receiving their salaries, contributing to widespread frustration and economic uncertainty. In Burkina Faso, citizens report similar difficulties, with many struggling to maintain basic livelihoods. This administrative uncertainties has compounded the economic challenges faced by the population, undermining the credibility of the military governments.
While the juntas frame their rule as a reclaiming of sovereignty and independence from colonial powers and international influence, the reality on the ground tells a different story. These nations are grappling with rising insecurity, anemic economies, and a weakening social fabric. The self-imposed isolation from ECOWAS and the broader international community has made the path forward increasingly uncertain.
While some Burkinabe, Malians, and Nigeriens still support the military’s stance against former colonial powers, many more are asking a crucial question: At what cost? As economic conditions worsen, the promise of greater freedom and sovereignty rings hollow for those struggling to survive. The path to independence is proving to be far more perilous than anticipated.
The headlines may trumpet sovereignty, but the lives of the people tell a far darker story. As Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso continue to navigate the complexities of military rule, the true cost of these shifts is becoming painfully clear.
