The recent coup in Niger has sparked concerns about the potential for conflict in West Africa and the implications for the region's geopolitics. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has threatened military intervention and ordered a standby force to restore order in Niger, raising the stakes for the crisis.

Experts argue that the coup has created a truly geopolitical moment for intra-African politics. Howard W. French, a contributor to Foreign Policy, suggests that the crisis presents an opportunity for a foreign policy reset and could potentially reshape the future of geopolitics in Africa. With Bola Tinubu assuming the role of ECOWAS chair, there is an opportunity for Nigerian leadership to play a significant role in resolving the situation.

However, there are concerns about the potential consequences of military intervention. Afolabi Adekaiyaoja warns that Nigeria's participation in a conflict with Niger could result in significant loss of civilian and military lives and cause division within the country along ethnic, regional, and religious lines. There are also connections between the leadership of the military junta in Niger and Nigeria, further complicating the situation.

While the international community watches closely, the question remains: Is Niger's coup a turning point for the geopolitics of Africa? Only time will tell.