Niger's political history has lacked a synthesis on the army's
involvement in politics since independence. The country is a
fertile ground for such analysis. Between 1964 and 1999, the
country witnessed three successful military coups during the
democratisation process (April 1974, January 1996, and April 1999)
and at least four military coup attempts (1964, 1975, 1976, 1983).
In its forty years of independence, Niger has been under military
rule for twenty-one years. It has also experienced seven different
institutional regimes while four out of the six presidents who
headed the country were soldiers. Niger evolved from the Second to
the Fifth Republic in less than ten years - from the national
conference (November 1991) to the last military coup (April 1999).
In statistical terms, Niger has been witnessing a military coup or
a military coup attempt every five-years since 1974. In addition to
that, the country recorded seven mutinies and various other forms
of troop rebellion between December 1963 and August 2000. In terms
of institutional instability, Niger's record is unparalleled in
Africa. A study on the army is therefore more needed than ever
before. The recurrence with which the military appears on the
political scene imposes another way of looking at Niger's army. A
critical analysis of the military phenomenon, if not an assessment,
would help envisage new prospects for Niger's future. This work,
which was undertaken by a multi disciplinary team, suggests an
analysis, from a historical and sociological perspective, of the
long-standing involvement of the army in politics (the apparition
of war leaders in the 19th century, the transition from colonial
army to national army, the politicisation of the army and the
emergence of 'military-politicians', the army sociology.). It aims
at providing an answer to a key question: Why is the army so deeply
involved in politics in Niger? It reveals how a significant
military component has been gradually built up in Niger's political
arena to become a highly dynamic political entrepreneur, able to
compete with civilian politicians. The work shows, on the one hand,
the significance of socio-political and economic contexts that
promote the propensity for military interventionism, and on the
other hand the transformations within the army that explain its
propensity to intervene. It relates two decades of 'military rule',
analyses their modes of legitimating, organising and managing
power, gives an assessment of their economic policies and sheds
light on women's role in that institution, which was thus far a
men's business. This book attempts to provide a genuine biography
of independent Niger. Given the quality of the contributions, this
book is a reference tool for understanding Niger today, where the
country comes from and where it is heading.
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