NIGER COUP: BIBLICAL OMRI MILITARY INTERVENTION AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR CONTEMPORARY GOVERNANCE

By Rev, Dr. R I Ibitoye

PREAMBLE
“When the Israelites in the camp heard that Zimri had plotted against the King and murdered him, they proclaimed Omri the commander of the army, King over Israel that very day in their camp… Then the people of Israel were split into two factions half supported Tibni son of Ginath for King, and the other half supported Omri: Both Omri’s followers proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became King.” (I King 16:16, 21-22).

INTRODUCTION
The recent coup d’état in Niger Republic sparked reactions all over the world. Coup can be defined as a sudden, violent and unlawful seizure of power from a government. Coup d’état is an agelong unlawful taking over of power. This which has been existing since the days of the Bible and continues to occur even in our contemporary days. However, democracy is being promoted in all nations of the world in recent days. In this write-up I intend to proffer Biblical solution to the imbroglio in Niger and possible recommendations to the people in power/ authority.

NIGER REPUBLIC COUP D’ÉTAT
On 26th July, 2023, it was reported that the Presidential Guard in Niger staged a coup and over threw the government of President Mohammed Bazoum, and he was detained with his family members. On this date it was announced in a televised broadcast by the Niger army general that there is seizure and change of power. This coup has generated reactions and was condemned internationally by major key stakeholders such as the United States, France, the European Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
ECOWAS summoned an emergency summit in Nigeria capital city (Abuja) where decisions were taken against the Nigerien, such as sanctions and threatened military interventions if President Bazoum is not restated. However, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali have made known their support for the Nigerien military Junta and expressed their refusal to apply any sanction imposed on the Nigerien. Likewise, Burkina Faso and Mali further warned in a joint statement that any military actions in Niger will be seen as a declaration of war against their own countries. This calls for a rethink by the ECOWAS leadership because this joint statement is setting the stage for division and possible break-up of the west African bloc (God forbid!).
There has been civil unrest since the coup in Niger. Many protests have been staged declaring support for the military junta, while many large segments of the Nigerien population declared support for the former leader (President Bazoum. Also, a video footage that went viral showed a very large crowd at a stadium in Niger chanting solidarity songs for the new military junta. This also has further divided a small nation that needs to be flourishing in economy.
The crises in Niger has affected flights across Africa, Europe and the Middle East the flight were either cancelled, delayed or diverted leaving many passengers and their households traumatized. Tribune 10th August, 2023 reported that “Britons have been left stranded in Africa today with no information after Niger coup leaders closed the county’s airspace affecting a large section of the continent”. The said newspaper further reported that, “this development tells us that there is no local war anywhere again, whatever affects the eyes must affects the nose as well”.
Another implication for both Nigeria and Niger republics is that the electricity power that was supplied to Niger by Nigeria has been cut off due to ECOWAS sanctions, meaning that Nigeriens are in darkness by now and the agreement earlier reached has been breached, that is bilateral convention of 1963, 1973 and 1980 the on mutual use of river Niger has been affected.
Niger could not dam this river which flows through her country due to the bilateral agreement. It is widely envisage by the analysts that Niger Republic may move to dam river Kandaji in her country to the detriment of Nigeria Kanji and Shiroro dams.

CAUSES OF MILITARY COUP D’ÉTAT
Many factors may be responsible for military coups, often times the coupists always claim that they intend to stabilize their country and ensure safety of lives and properties. However, reverse is usually the case when they eventually stabilize power. Below are some of the remote root causes for coup d’état:

1. Officers’ personal grievances – When the military officers personal needs are not adequately met, there may be the tendency for military takeover. These grievances may be poor renumeration, poor welfare conditions of the officers, inadequate funding, lack of purchasing modern military weaponry equipment etc. These and many more grievances may push the military personnel to stage a coup.
2. Military organizational grievances – All the major organs of the military must be adequately catered for such as, Army, Navy, and Airforce. No organ must be left out in terms of funding, welfare and promotion of officers. If this is not done there may be a tendency for some officers to make their grievances known through coup d’état.
3. Military popularity – The military is doing a lot for the nation in ensuring peace and security. They defend the territorial integrity of the nation. However, when the military is gaining popularity and acceptance, they should be more focused, and be professional in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
4. Military attitudinal cohesiveness – This is simply the ability of the military sticking together, also the quality of the military being structured and organized in a united way with a very strong internal connections between their officers. This attribute should help the nation in term of progress and ensuring security of citizens.
5. Economic decline – Most of the military interventions in Africa sub-regions always hang on economic decline of the nation and usually the coupists always affirming transforming economic prosperity during their military reign. A special appeal is made to all African politicians at the helm of governance to always do the needful at the right time for the nation to experience economic progress.
6. Domestic political crisis – The military may be tempted to takeover the nation’s governance if there is constant domestic internal political crisis among the major political parties and when there seems to be no way forward. Politicians should always play the games of politics according to the rule and regulation, ensuring that they respect the rule of law. Domestic civil unrest can be another major cause for military takeover of power. Protest must be rightly channelled and protesters must get approval from relevant security agencies, so that such will not be hijacked by the hoodlums and miscreants.
7. External Threat – This is simply a threat from outside the country and the military feel like taking over in order to defend their country.

OMRI MILITARY INTERVENTION/COUP: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN GOVERNANCE
Omri was an officer from the tribe of Issachar during David’s reign (I Chr. 27:18). He was the 6th King of the northern kingdom of Israel and a founder of a new dynasty after the death of Elah. This occurred during the period of anarchy following the death of Baasliah, and the army besieged Gibbethon proclaimed their leader Omri as King (I King 16:15-29). Omri was remembered for his building activities. He constructed a new capital city for Israel at Samaria. The city situated on an excellent strategic position and it served as the capital city until the fall of Israel in 722BC.

THE IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTEMPORARY GOVERNANCE
Omri might be one of the good soldiers of Israel who command the nation’s army, but he was not automatically accepted as the next king. His emergence brought about two factions, some supporting Omri and the others his major rival Tibni (16:21). It must be clearly noted that coup d’état usually brought division into a nation. Omri’s emergence led to internal war which lasted about four years, and eventually Omri emerged victorious. Coups can cause splinter groups among the nation’s military architecture and if not well managed can cause a flourishing country to go into civil war. The Biblical and contemporary coup d’états is a pointer that those with military power tend to long for leadership while the one who occupies the throne tends to protect it with all the might at his disposal.
However, Omri proved himself as a good administrator who started a new dynasty. During his 12 years’ reign he erected many buildings and moved his capital from Tizah in to a new site named Samaria after the man Shemer from whom he bought the hill on which the new capital was situated (16:23-24).
It is noteworthy that many coupists rule well and always leave a good legacy behind. There are many African countries where military ruled and transformed the nations economy and have good infrastructural facilities, good welfare condition for the civil servants, yet it is not the most acceptable system of governance. Assuming positions of authority in contemporary times must be through free and fair democracy.
Omri can be famous for all his numerous achievements, it was on record that, “But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him” (I King. 16:25). This scorecard of Omri made him and his government unacceptable.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON NIGER REPUBLIC COUP PALAVER

1. Niger shares a very large border with Nigeria which cut across about 5 states, eg. Sokoto, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina and Borno States. Incidentally Nigeria President, (His Excellency Bola Tinubu) is the chairman ECOWAS and is to carryout decisions of this august body. Though ECOWAS had given ultimatum to the Nigerien military leader and such has elapsed on Sunday 6th August 2023 and the ECOWAS is threatening military actions against the Niger Republic. Nigeria government should be very careful in leading a war against her neighboring country.
2. Fighting war with Niger will have serious negative effect on the border states of Nigeria such as Sokoto, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina and Borno. ECOWAS countries should explore more diplomatic means in resolving the political crisis in Niger Republic.
3. Likewise, ECOWAS should give the military Junta more time to transit their country into a democratic governance.
4. The Nigerian government should not forget that the northern Nigerian shares many things in common with the Niger, such as: culture, religion, intermarriage and trade. The implication is that the two countries (Nigeria & Niger) are interwoven.
5. The entire west Africa sub-region and most especially Nigerians should be praying for our dear President and Chairman of ECOWAS (His Excellency President Bola Tinubu) for God’s guidance, good health and divine direction at this critical time.

CONCLUSION
ECOWAS should explore diplomatic measures in resolving the imbroglio in Niger Republic and involving major stakeholders such as traditional rulers, cleric and past leaders in Niger and West African sub-regions. This will bring a lasting and quick solution to the current Niger political crisis.

Rev Dr R I Ibitoye Amb-P is a Pastor, International Peace Advocate, Columnist, Ecumenist, & Administrator