African Military in National Conferences, A Challenge to National Security, A Case of Niger.

摘要

In recent history of Africa, after colonization and the first post-colonial governments and military leadership periods, began a democratization period commencing almost immediately after the collapse of the eastern bloc. Many African nations are now going through a process of democratization. Depending on the country, this process can take various shapes and directions. In the former French colonies the so-called 'national conference' has become the most common way to access democracy. It is a consecration of the balance of power between the forces favorable to change 'the democratic forces' as they call themselves, and those who advocate the status quo, seen as 'the reactionary forces. Having led the countries just before the change process, African militaries have to endure criticism, verbal attacks, and other destabilizing attempts from the opposing forces. This process can sometimes raise many issues that challenge national security. Although we must be careful not to generalize, the Niger case is developed here to illustrate the problem.