Counterterrorism, Resource Wars, and Sovereignty: The Niger Coup Explained w/Eze Olumba
Manage episode 432417918 series 2937076
Join us for an eye-opening discussion with Ezenwa Olumba, a PhD candidate at Royal Holloway University of London, as we unravel the geopolitical intricacies of post-coup Niger and the broader Sahel region. We start by dissecting the involvement of global powers like France and the United States, probing their vested interests in resource control, counterterrorism efforts, and military footprints. Our deep dive reveals the ethnic power struggles, strong anti-neocolonial sentiments, and ongoing regional insurgencies that set the stage for the coup, while challenging the applicability of Western-style democracy in Africa.
Our conversation ventures into the often exploitative dynamics between African nations and Western powers. Delving into America's military footprint, particularly through the Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Partnership, we draw thought-provoking parallels with historical contexts like the Arab Spring and Afghanistan, stressing the importance of governance models that resonate with local sociocultural realities.
In exploring the colonial legacies haunting Francophone African countries, we shed light on economic dependencies and anti-French sentiments simmering in nations like Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Through compelling arguments, we juxtapose Niger's resource wealth against its poverty and draw comparisons with Rwanda's developmental strides under Paul Kagame. Our discussion culminates in a critical assessment of the ongoing struggle for genuine sovereignty in Africa, questioning whether the continent’s pressing basic needs should take precedence over democratic aspirations.
Host:
Fungai Mutsiwa
Guest:
Eze Olumba
Article: The Necropolitics of Drone Bases and Use in the African Context
BlackFor30 is a place for your voice to be heard. DM us your thoughts and questions @blackfor30 or via email at admin@blackfor30.com.
Chapters
1. Geopolitical Dynamics in Post-Coup Niger (00:00:00)
2. International Relations and Resource Exploitation (00:20:21)
3. Impact of Military Presence in Africa (00:24:49)
4. Colonial Legacies in African Geopolitics (00:32:56)
5. Colonial Legacies and Neocolonialism in Africa (00:37:10)
6. Sovereignty and Neocolonialism in Africa (00:47:51)
48 episodes