What is playing out in Niger Republic in particular and other African countries colonised by France, in general, is more than what meets the eye. For Niger Republic,  it is not a mere change of government or coup d’etat but an expression of self determination; an avowed commitment to end France’s imperialism and depletion of the economic and political power of Niger Republic. Nigerien junta and of course, the civil populace are asserting their right for self determination. Though Niger got independence from France in 1960 about 63 years ago, the country like every other French colonised countries in Africa, is not free economically, politically, educationally and in terms of security. In fact, I can say that African countries colonised by France are still in France’s bondage, hegemony and repressive policies.  It is reminiscent of what happened in Egypt when the Pharaoh of that time known as Thutmose III, would not want the Jews to go even when he told them to leave immediately because of death of first born male of humans and animals following God’s judgment on him and Egypt. The publicised France obnoxious eleven agreements with 14 African countries she colonised, leave much to be desired. The agreements which based on the economy, security and international diplomatic relationship, are deliberate efforts by France to continue to indirectly rule her African colonies. African countries that were under France colonialism are second class and remain inferior to France citizens. The imperialistic status of France over the Francophone countries in Africa still holds sway and finds maximum and unfettered expression in  France colonised African countries. France as one of the developed economies, democracies, and nations of the world even in other indices of national growth and development should not be told that their continued control over Niger Republic and other independent countries that were under their tutelage is a flagrant infraction on the countries’ sovereignty as a nation and dignity as humans
Thus, I salute the bravery of Mali to break away from the stranglehold of France repressive and dehumanising policies by cancelling the colonial Agreements imposed on African countries since 1960 by France. It takes consciousness, determination and resoluteness, no matter whose ox is gored, to stay free. Freedom is not free. It is expensive. It could come in the hard way through revolution-intellectually or militarily. Freedom is a function of consciousness. Karl Marx was quoted as saying, “It is when the people are conscious of the fact that they are oppressed can they rise to dislodge the instrument that makes the oppression possible”. This is a period of consciousness for Niger Republic and Mali, among the African Francophone countries, who are going through the draconian policy or agreements of the French taskmasters.
It is crystal clear that the declaration of  France that Bazoum is “sole president” is borne out of their inordinate determination to protect their economic interest and not necessarily to deepen or strengthen democratic values in Niger Republic. The regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union should look beyond a coup d’etat, the overthrow of constitutional government and a democratically elected administration in Niger. They should rather pool their resources together to end imperialism in African countries colonised by France, though independent but are still bond slaves and second class citizens to France. Mobilising military operations against Niger Republic is a surreptitious way to perpetuate the unacceptable dominance of France over independent African and West African countries.
Such act negates the core objectives of the African Union (AU) which include: to achieve greater unity, cohesion and solidarity among member nations, to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of member states and to accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent. Every independent country, no matter how weak she  is evaluated, has a right to defend her territorial integrity. No doubt, any nation that controls the economy of another nation has power over the politics of the latter. She determines who presides over the affairs of the nation or who the President should be because it is said, ‘he who pays the piper dictates its tune’. This, to say the least, is the greatest undoing of African and Third World countries by their colonial masters-the Pharaohs
Therefore,  African leaders and the ECOWAS should not promote institutional coup that allows life time presidency or allow an incumbent leader to manipulate the process or constitution to perpetuate himself in office even when he has lost the confidence of the people. Power resides in the people. The legitimacy of any government stems from the people. A leader who endears himself to his people through good governance would not insist on changing the legal instrument of the country to advance his interest. African leaders have a penchant of holding on to power even if it results to crisis or war, especially if they enjoy the support of the imperialists. With very few exceptions, like Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Nelson Mandela, African leaders have not cultivated the trait of leaving power when the ovation is loudest.
Without saying anything new, the bane of Africa’s stunted economic and political development is bad leadership. If African countries get the leadership problem fixed, then, Africa will be on the fastest lane of holistic development.I enjoin African and ECOWAS leaders to identify and confront the common enemy of the continent so that, in keeping with one of the core objectives of the African Union, they will “accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent”. To free African countries from the stranglehold of the imperialists, African leaders must be united and selfless.

By: Igbiki Benibo