As a Malian residing in the US, I totally agree that the immediate sanctions and cutting off only makes Russian cooperation not only easier for these nations, but even more so ideal, beyond the governments, in the eyes of the people. In Mali, their perception of ECOWAS economic intervention and France and the US alike has only declined. Now that they’re removed from ECOWAS and are in their own alliance with Burkina Faso and Niger, they look towards non traditional methods, innovative ones that are not US-aligned and especially not France-aligned because they are all equally seeking longterm change. Though the method of a military coup, is something the people probably won’t ever see as a problem, rather the ways in which the world responds to them when the people believe, wholly, in their success.
I am curious though, because from this perspective, you highlight the way in which the immediately punitive response doesn’t help the US in any case, but coups, as mentioned aren’t delivering longterm good to these nations. How do we move forward? How do we go about establishing stability when the people of these nations believe in these junta leaders and we can’t be as “harsh” in our redirection?
In fact, when Malians don’t like what’s going on, they even suggest ANOTHER coup. Malians wholeheartedly believe that overturning is the best method of reform which is so so different than what US foreigns policy suggests.
Interesting post. What do you think about regional intervention (economic or military) in response to coups à la ECOWAS post Niger? There was a pretty robust debate at the time about what was in our interests - wonder how you think about that especially if there is a “Golden Hour” in which coups are potentially reversible?
Might another response to coups be an increase in support to democratic activists, independent journalists, and other civil society forces pressing for a return to civilian rule?
As a Malian residing in the US, I totally agree that the immediate sanctions and cutting off only makes Russian cooperation not only easier for these nations, but even more so ideal, beyond the governments, in the eyes of the people. In Mali, their perception of ECOWAS economic intervention and France and the US alike has only declined. Now that they’re removed from ECOWAS and are in their own alliance with Burkina Faso and Niger, they look towards non traditional methods, innovative ones that are not US-aligned and especially not France-aligned because they are all equally seeking longterm change. Though the method of a military coup, is something the people probably won’t ever see as a problem, rather the ways in which the world responds to them when the people believe, wholly, in their success.
I am curious though, because from this perspective, you highlight the way in which the immediately punitive response doesn’t help the US in any case, but coups, as mentioned aren’t delivering longterm good to these nations. How do we move forward? How do we go about establishing stability when the people of these nations believe in these junta leaders and we can’t be as “harsh” in our redirection?
In fact, when Malians don’t like what’s going on, they even suggest ANOTHER coup. Malians wholeheartedly believe that overturning is the best method of reform which is so so different than what US foreigns policy suggests.
Interesting post. What do you think about regional intervention (economic or military) in response to coups à la ECOWAS post Niger? There was a pretty robust debate at the time about what was in our interests - wonder how you think about that especially if there is a “Golden Hour” in which coups are potentially reversible?
Might another response to coups be an increase in support to democratic activists, independent journalists, and other civil society forces pressing for a return to civilian rule?