Three individuals in Iran face severe punishment as their hands are chopped off, a consequence for theft.
Niger, a West African nation, has been in the global spotlight since the July 26, 2023 coup that saw the presidential guard, led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, the president's top bodyguard, seize power from democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and imprison him in a palace[1][3]. Tchiani, now the coup leader, assumed the presidency, citing reasons such as worsening security, economic difficulties, and opposition to Western, especially French, influence in Niger.
The military junta, headed by Tchiani, has maintained control beyond the initially expected transition period, with indications now pointing to a prolonged rule possibly exceeding five years. The junta has faced criticism for deteriorating conditions, despite initial popular support on the streets at the time of the coup. Niger, under military control, has distanced itself from Western powers and organizations such as ECOWAS and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, exiting ECOWAS in early 2024 alongside Mali and Burkina Faso[1][2][3]. Instead, it has cultivated closer ties with alternative partners like Russia and Türkiye, including signing a nuclear cooperation deal with Russia in July 2025 and nationalizing uranium assets previously managed by French companies.
Meanwhile, in the world of international politics, Germany's Reinhard Bütikofer, a prominent figure and vocal critic of China's leadership, has seen the lifting of sanctions against him. Bütikofer, a member of the Green party, was previously on a sanctions list imposed by China due to his critical stance towards China[2]. The lifting of these sanctions does not affect the broader political relationship between China and Germany.
The coup in Niger and the imprisonment of President Bazoum have been ongoing for two years, with no signs of resolution in sight. The former president remains captive in the palace where he was initially detained[1][3].
In summary, the key political developments in Niger include the 2023 coup led by the president's top bodyguard Abdourahamane Tchiani who imprisoned former president Mohamed Bazoum, the establishment of a military junta seeking to maintain long-term control, shifting alliances away from Western influence toward Russia and other partners, and ongoing political restructuring under a new constitution with an extended transition timeline[1][2][3]. Additionally, the lifting of sanctions against Reinhard Bütikofer in Germany is significant due to his critical stance towards China.
[1] BBC News. (2023). Niger coup: Abdourahamane Tchiani sworn in as president. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56288831
[2] Deutsche Welle. (2025). China lifts sanctions against German Green politician Reinhard Bütikofer. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/china-lifts-sanctions-against-german-green-politician-reinhard-b%C3%BCtikofer/a-57028999
[3] Al Jazeera. (2024). Niger exits ECOWAS amid political crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/15/niger-exits-ecowas-amid-political-crisis
- Under the rule of the military junta, led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger has experienced a shift in political alliances from Western powers to countries like Russia and Türkiye, as indicated by the nuclear cooperation deal signed with Russia in 2025 and the nationalization of uranium assets previously managed by French companies.
- Despite criticism for deteriorating conditions and extended rule, the military junta, originally established after the 2023 coup, has maintained control in Niger, with the imprisonment of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum ongoing for two years and no signs of resolution in sight.
