Webinar Recap – Analyzing the July 2023 Coup in Niger: Insights from the FCIL-SIS DEI Committee’s What in the World Series

By Sue Silverman

Last Spring, the FCIL-SIS DEI Committee hosted a webinar as part of its What in the World Series, focusing on the July 2023 coup in Niger. The webinar featured Dr. Aluko Opeyemi Idowu, professor of political science at Ajayi Crowther University in Nigeria, and Stanley Macharia, law librarian at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Dr. Idowu provided a background of the political and economic situation in Niger that culminated in the coup d’etat, while Stanley Macharia provided a comprehensive list of resources and articles to learn more about the Nigerien coup.

Made by: Philippe Verdy User:verdy_p, see also fr:Utilisateur:verdy_p.,
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On July 26, 2023, a military junta in Niger suspended the constitution and overthrew the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, placing him and his family under arrest. This marked the fifth coup in Niger since the country gained independence from France in 1960.

Niger faces significant challenges, with over 50% of its population living in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $2.15 per day. Many people lack access to clean water, struggle with food insecurity, and most school-age children do not attend school. Despite these issues, Niger is one of the top ten uranium producers[1] and holds strategic importance for the U.S. and France in their antiterrorism efforts in West Africa. The U.S. operates several military bases in Niger, including a CIA-operated drone base, and had signed a status of forces agreement with Niger allowing U.S. troops and aircraft to operate in a non-combat capacity to support French counterterrorism efforts.

The junta attributed the coup to poor economic management and a deteriorating security situation under President Bazoum. However, Dr. Idowu argues that the coup will only exacerbate poverty and insecurity. The U.S. and France have halted financing for important infrastructure projects, and the junta’s withdrawal from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) will hinder the free movement of people, goods, and transactions between West African nations. Moreover, the undermining of democratic institutions in Niger contributes to increased political and economic instability, which is problematic for West Africa, Africa, and the world at large.

To understand the current situation in Niger, it is crucial to consider its colonial history. France colonized Niger from 1900 to 1960 and maintained a significant military presence in the country long after Niger gained independence.[2]  Anti-French and anti-colonial sentiment fueled support for the coup in Niger and similar coups in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, which are also former French colonies.

Resources for Research:

Stanley Macharia highlighted several resources and articles for researching and learning more about the situation in Niger. For general legal research, he recommended the free and open access databases listed below in addition to subscription databases such as HeinOnline, JSTOR, and Lexis.  

1. African Court Cases  

2. Southern African Legal Information Institute

3. Directory of Open Access Journals  

4. World Legal Information Institute

To learn more specifically about the coup and history of coups in West Africa, Mr. Macharia recommended the following journal articles:

July 2023 Coup:  

Louisa Brooke Holland, UK Parliament Research Briefing No. 9855, Sept. 25, 2023, July 2023 Coup in Niger.

Mustafa Osman I. Elamin, Navigating Complexities: African Union’s Peace and Security Strategy Challenges after Niger and Gabon Coups, 10 Int’l J. of Membrane Science and Technology 2070 (2023).

Moses I.K., & Samuel I.T., Political Instability in Africa: An Account of the 2023 Niger Coup, 2 Best J. of Innovation in Sci., Res. and Dev. 109 (2023).

Svenja Raube, Anticipatory Consent to Military Intervention: Analysis in the Wake of the Coup’d’etat in Niger in 2023, 20 J. on the Use of Force and Int’l L. 201 (2023).

Coups, Colonialism & Neo-Colonialism:

Franklin Charles Graham IV, What the Nigerien Coup D’etat Means to the World, 37 Rev. of Afr. Pol. Econ. 527 (2010).

Salau A. Modibbo et al., The ECOWAS Protocol, Emerging Military Threats and the Relapse of Democracy in West Africa: Lessons from the Cote D’Ivoire and Niger Republic, 12 Int’l Aff. and Global Strategy 8 (2013).

Mannjong Callistus Acho, Examining the Reasons for the Effects of Military Coups in West Africa Since 1990: The Obstacles to Democracy and Progress, 1 Int’l J. of Humanity and Soc. Sci. 20 (2023).

Bettina Engels, Coups and Neo-colonialism, 50 Rev. of Afr. Pol. Econ. 147 (2023).

Thomas A. Kelley III, Exporting Western Law to the Developing World: The Troubling Case of Niger, 7 Global Jurist (2008).

Eki Yemisis Omorogbe, Club of Incumbents the African Union and Coups D’etat, 44 Vand. J. of Transnat’l L. 123 (2021).

F.C. Chilaka & T.O. Peter, Resurgence of Military Coups in West Africa: Implications for ECOWAS, 5 Afr. J. of Soc. Sci. and Human. Res. 52 (2022).

Christopher Zambakari, Military Coup in Niger: The Legacies of Colonialism and the U.S. War on Terror in West Africa, Afr. Report No. 14 (2023).

Magnus Lundgren, Back-door Peacekeeping: Does Participation in UN Peacekeeping Reduce Coups at Home?, 55 J. of Peace Res. 508 (2018).

The webinar provided valuable insights into the July 2023 coup in Niger, its historical context, and its potentially far-reaching consequences. By understanding the challenges faced by Niger, we can better appreciate the significance of these events for the region and the world.

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[1] Notably, Russia is now seeking to acquire control over Niger’s uranium assets. Adekunle Agbetiloye, Russia reportedly seeks control of France’s uranium assets in Niger, Bus. Insider Afr., Jun. 3, 2024,  https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/russia-reportedly-seeks-control-of-frances-uranium-assets-in-niger/e0smldl

[2] French troops withdrew from Niger in December of 2023, following the coup. Reuters, Last French troops leave Niger as military cooperation officially ends, Dec. 22, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/last-french-troops-leave-niger-military-cooperation-officially-ends-2023-12-22.

Webinar Announcement – Roman Statutes: Renewing Roman Law

Register now and join the Roman Law Interest Group for a webinar on Roman Statutes: Renewing Roman Law!

AALL FCIL-SIS Roman Law Interest Group is pleased to offer an online presentation on May 22, 2024, 1pm- 2pm US/Central, by Clifford Ando, a renowned scholar in the fields of religion, law, and government in the ancient world from the University of Chicago. This presentation will discuss Professor Ando’s ambitious “Roman Statutes: Renewing Roman Law” project, which aims to produce the first comprehensive, accurate, and freely available repository of all surviving inscribed legislation from classical Rome. Funded by prestigious grants from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, the Neubauer Collegium, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, this project is not just a scholarly endeavor but a milestone in legal and historical research. You can read more about the project at: https://neubauercollegium.uchicago.edu/research/roman-statutes-renewing-roman-law.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about this important project and its potential impact.

We encourage you to register now!

Webinar Recap: “What in the World is Happening… in the Russian War against Ukraine and Global Accountability”

By Francesco Fasano

On March 12^th, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the FCIL-SIS hosted a webinar titled “What in the World is Happening… in the Russian War against Ukraine and Global Accountability,” as part of its What in the World webinar series highlighting current global events.  Paul Moorman from USC Gould School of Law hosted the webinar. The featured speaker was Iryna Zaverukha, a legal scholar from L’viv, Ukraine, currently at USC Gould School of Law.  This was an update to last year’s webinar on the crisis in Ukraine, coming at an important and harrowing milestone in the ongoing aggression. February 24, 2022, marked the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and March 18th, 2024, marked a decade passed since the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.

Iryna began the webinar by contextualizing the Russian invasion against global political shifts, framing it as a fundamental clash between authoritarianism and democracy. She introduced jus ad bellum and discussed Russia’s hybrid war strategy, which includes information warfare, economic coercion, and military aggression. For example, the 2014 annexation of Crimea, which was internationally criticized, was portrayed by Russia as reunification, indicative of their strategic information manipulation and the lack of global response which later influenced the conflict in Eastern Ukraine’s Donbass region.

The discussion then shifted into the legal sparring following Crimea’s annexation. The UN Security Council was stalled by Russia’s veto, but the General Assembly passed a resolution affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Iryna detailed Ukraine’s legal challenges against Russia’s actions, including lawsuits at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), despite Russia’s denial of involvement. On January 31, 2024, the ICJ issued a judgment addressing the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, finding Russia violated international law by banning the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk. Iryna mentioned that the ICJ also found Russia had not breached its obligation to freeze funds meant for terrorism financing but had violated the convention by failing to investigate such financing. On racial discrimination, the ICJ recognized violations against Crimean Tatars but ultimately did not provide remedies. In response to Russia’s 2022 invasion, the ICJ ordered Russia to halt its military operations in Ukraine.

Iryna Zaverukha 2024

Responding to the 2022 invasion, the UN Security Council under Russia’s presidency could not progress due to the veto, and on February 27, 2022, the Security Council adopted resolutions that called for an emergency special session of the General Assembly to address the Ukraine crisis under the Uniting for Peace Resolution. The General Assembly during this time adopted six resolutions condemning Russia’s actions. Iryna highlighted the legal complexities in prosecuting the crime of aggression, making note of the the limitations of the International Criminal Court (ICC), as neither Russia nor Ukraine are Rome Statute parties. This led to proposals for a special tribunal and the creation of the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in The Hague.

Iryna Zaverukha 2024

Iryna also discussed global efforts to address war crimes and potential ecocide in Ukraine, emphasizing the use of AI in documentation. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for high-ranking Russians for crimes like the unlawful deportation of children, indicating the ongoing pursuit of justice. Last, Iryna noted U.S. support, including legislative actions extending jurisdiction over war crimes and fostering international cooperation to hold perpetrators accountable.

Iryna Zaverukha 2024

Webinar Recap: International Law Scholarship

By Elaine Tornés Blanco

• Are most of the international law journals in the region available for open access, and are they published online, in print, or a combination of both?
• Tell us about the influence of U.S. and European scholars on the proliferation of international journals in Latin America and whether there were transnational or continental influences in your research.
• Were the journals copying each other in terms of themes and methodological approaches?
• How does the Latin American Network of International Law Journals (RELAREDI) plan to address the challenges of standardization and indexation of legal scholarship in Latin America, considering the dominance of foreign academic cultures in these processes?
• Tell us about the Seminario en Latinoamérica de Teoría Constitucional y Política—the Seminar in Latin America on Constitutional and Political Theory, or SELA, and SELA Librarians and their role connecting languages, methodologies, and substantive interests among researchers.

These were some of the questions from the webinar I had the pleasure of moderating about the fascinating world of international law scholarship in Latin America. The online webinar, hosted by the AALL Latinx Caucus, featured two distinguished speakers: Professor Jorge Contesse, and Professor Teresa Miguel-Stearns. Their insights were not only enlightening but also underscored the critical role of law librarians in the evolving landscape of legal scholarship.

Professor Contesse, a scholar of international human rights and comparative constitutional law and Director of the Rutgers Center for Transnational Law, shared his research on the judicialization of international law and its interaction with domestic constitutional actors. His work (available here) which will soon be published in the Virginia Journal of International Law, is part of a consortium for the study and analysis of international law scholarship. He emphasized the importance of international law journals in Latin America and the challenges they face, such as standardization and indexation.

During the webinar, Professor Contesse highlighted the role of law librarians in his research, noting the difficulty of accessing information transnationally and the crucial role that law librarians play in this regard, especially when researchers are trying to find what they are looking for at a domestic level. He recounted how, at a meeting in Bogota, he was introduced to SELA Librarians, organized by Professor Miguel-Stearns. This encounter proved to be pivotal, as the librarians’ vast knowledge and experience significantly contributed to his research. SELA Librarians acted as shepherds, guiding him through the landscape of international law journals in the region. This anecdote resonated with me, as it exemplified the indispensable support that law librarians provide to researchers.

I agreed with Professor Jorge Contesse’s characterization of law librarians as “brokers of knowledge,” a term that aptly captures our role in guiding scholars through the complex terrain of legal research, emphasizing the importance of our work in making scholarship more accessible across different regions.

Professor Teresa Miguel-Stearns, Associate Dean of Legal Information Innovation and Director of the Daniel F. Cracchiolo Law Library, shared her experiences with the SELA Librarians. She discussed the creation of this network of law librarians across Latin America, sharing best practices and supporting faculty research. SELA’s goals are (1) to elevate the profession of law librarianship, (2) to share best practices, and (3) to create networks aiming to communicate value to their respective institutions. Her work with the SELA Librarians during the annual conference of the Seminario in Latinoamérica de Teoría Constitucional y Política (SELA) has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and enhancing the dissemination of legal scholarship.

The webinar also touched upon the accessibility of legal scholarship. Professor Contesse noted that many international law journals in Latin America are available online, making them easily accessible. This is particularly important for librarians, as we strive to connect users with relevant information. The discussion also highlighted the potential for projects that aggregate these resources, such as a research guide or contributing to existing databases.

As law librarians, we are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps in access to information and to support the scholarly endeavors of our faculty and students. The webinar was a testament to the dynamic and collaborative nature of legal scholarship and librarianship. It underscored the importance of law librarians as knowledge brokers and the need for continued engagement with international law scholarship in Latin America. I agree with Professor Jorge Contesse about the need for librarians’ involvement in fostering connections and easing access to scholarship for both the South and the North, because we can play a significant role in overcoming these challenges. This webinar was a reminder of the vital role we play in the legal academic community and the opportunities that lie ahead for further collaboration and innovation.

It was an honor to moderate such an insightful event along with Mariangelí-Lugo Zayas, Law Librarian at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing conversation about the impact and evolution of legal scholarship in Latin America and look forward to more alliances and projects derived from this experience.

Please find the International Law Scholarship webinar’s recording here, available on the Latinx Caucus website. Contesse, Jorge, International Law Scholarship in Latin America (February 12, 2024). Virginia Journal of International Law, Vol. 64, No. 2, 2024, Rutgers Law School Research Paper No. Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4722854

Designed by Mariangelí Lugo-Zayas

Webinar: Collection Development in Foreign, Comparative, and International Law

Not sure what databases and books to buy to support foreign, comparative, and international law research for your law school, firm, or public law library? Join us on March 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST for a panel on foreign, comparative, and international law collection development.

The panel will feature speakers Alex Burdett (Reference/Foreign & International Law Librarian, New York University School of Law), Laura Cadra (Senior Collection Development Librarian, Loyola Marymount Law School, Los Angeles), Sherry Chen (Associate Director for Collection Strategy, Penn Law School), and Gabriela Femenia (Director of the Law Library and Associate Professor of Law, Temple Law), and will be moderated by Louis Myers (Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Librarian, Law Library of Congress).

Register now!

Please contact Continuing Education Chair, Caitlin Hunter, hunter@law.ucla.edu, with any questions.

Webinar Recap: “Dealing with Trauma from World Events”

By Francesco Fasano

On January 23rd, the FCIL-SIS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee organized a webinar titled “Dealing with Trauma from World Events.” This webinar focused on various types of trauma and strategies to alleviate trauma responses. Sue Silverman from Brooklyn Law School hosted the event, and the featured speaker was Diana Hortsch. Diana, a former attorney who has transitioned into a career as a psychotherapist, specializes in working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma, using an approach centered on psychodynamic psychotherapy and regulating the nervous system.

Diana provided participants with an overview of the different types of trauma and how the body reacts to it. Trauma can be broadly defined as the impact of a crisis, where a crisis can be defined as an extremely difficult or dangerous point in time. Diana explains that trauma triggers the brain’s threat response as an internal response to a crisis, and there are various types of trauma, including acute, complex, intergenerational, and vicarious trauma.

In acute trauma, an event disrupts the body’s sense of safety, and it has a significant emotional impact, as seen in situations like physical assault. Acute trauma can also manifest collectively, exemplified by the perpetual feeling of loss of safety in New York City after 9/11. Diana then defined complex trauma as the response to ongoing or repeated traumatic events, with childhood trauma being a typical example, often referred to as cPTSD. This type of trauma affects a child’s emotional and physiological development. Another example of complex trauma mentioned was domestic violence. Intergenerational trauma occurs when an individual passes their trauma on to their descendants. Lastly, Diana defined vicarious trauma, which involves being traumatized through exposure to traumatic media content. When it comes to trauma from images and media, frequency of exposure matters more than the duration.

Diana Hortsch, J.D., LCSW

For each of these types of traumas, ongoing world events may serve as triggers, and different people may experience these triggers for various reasons.

When the brain is functioning at equilibrium, the center of the brain that controls reasoning and logic is in control. Diana discussed how trauma activates the brain’s threat responses, referred to as fight, flight, or freeze reactions. These states are known as hyperarousal and hypoarousal, which can have emotional and physical health consequences. When dysregulation due to a threat response occurs, the amygdala becomes stimulated, and your prefrontal cortex gets sidelined. Diana presented techniques to bring the brain back to equilibrium, where the prefrontal cortex regains control. These techniques include “The Sigh,” “Foot Tapping,” “Self-Massage,” and “5-4-3-2-1 Grounding.” It’s important to practice these techniques so they can be effectively used in the moment when encountering triggering images or situations. Preventing and managing trauma symptoms necessitates body awareness, self-care, impulse control, the ability to differentiate between thoughts and feelings, and seeking professional support.

Diana Hortsch, J.D., LCSW

 Each person experiences trauma in different ways. Diana states that we are quite literally designed to react intensely, and that that trauma responses are normal. Trauma deeply affects both individuals and communities, and our reactions are rooted in our innate responses, but we have tools at our disposal to mitigate both short-term and long-term trauma effects. Something to keep in mind is that trauma can create resiliency, and Diana noted that in communities that are particularly traumatized and marginalized, you often find art, music, humor, and culture. Trauma can be about survival and continuation.  

Join FCIL-SIS on 12/6 at 11 am U.S. Central Time for a Webinar on Careers in Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Librarianship!

Interested in making the leap into a foreign, comparative, and international law librarian role? Looking for opportunities to incorporate more foreign, comparative, and international law research into your current job? A panel of librarians with careers that have spanned a variety of library types and countries will discuss career opportunities in FCIL and how they have incorporated FCIL into their roles.

The webinar will feature panelists Bianca Anderson (Director of Research and Information Services, Shutts & Bowen LLP), Heather Casey (Writer-Editor, Global Legal Research Directorate, Law Library of Congress), Yemisi Dina (Chief Law Librarian, University of York), Abby Dos Santos (Manager of Library Services, Caplin & Drysdale), and Erin Gow (Satellite Librarian, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit), with moderator Juan-Andrés Fuentes (Librarian for Foreign, Comparative & International Law, Harvard Law School).

Register now!

Please contact FCIL-SIS Continuing Education Committee Chair, Caitlin Hunter, with any questions.

Webinar 11/30: Evidence-Based Instruction for Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Research

Learn how to teach legal research more effectively with FCIL-SIS! Join us on November 30 at 11 am to 12 pm Central to learn evidence-based teaching techniques and how to apply them to teaching foreign, comparative, and international law research.

The webinar will feature speakers Alyson Drake (Head of Instruction & Lecturer, University of Houston Law Center) and Janet Kearney (Reference/Foreign, Comparative & International Law Librarian, New York University School of Law) and will be moderated by Britt Hunter (International and Foreign Legal Research Librarian, Florida State University College of Law). 

Register now!

Please contact FCIL-SIS Continuing Education Committee Chair, Caitlin Hunter, with any questions.

Still time to register for What in the World … is Happening in Ukraine?

There’s still time to register for the FCIL-SIS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s March 7 webinar on the Ukraine https://chapman.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpcOiqqDgpGNAZNXwORIc9u9YxqxJl3Rpn. The webinar will feature a distinguished panelist of speakers who will examine the history and context of the war in Ukraine and introduce the key legal issues and bodies of law implicated.

Useful resources for law librarians conducting research or interested in learning more will also be provided, and we encourage you to begin your reading with this fascinating recent article on the “warrior librarians” in Ukraine: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/04/our-mission-is-crucial-meet-the-warrior-librarians-of-ukraine.

Two Upcoming Webinars: Feb. 22 – What in the world…is happening in Haiti? & Mar. 7 – What in the world…is happening in Ukraine?

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the FCIL-SIS invites you to attend “What in the world…is happening in Haiti?,” on Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, 2023 at 1 pm EST. This webinar is the first in a series of webinars on international events that may impact FCILS-SIS and the wider AALL membership. It is being co-sponsored by the BLL-SIS and is a Black History Month event. It will focus the history of Haiti, the current situation, what the future may be, and a view of this issue from a librarian’s perspective i.e. finding resources relative to Haiti. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/DEIHaiti.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the FCIL-SIS invites you to attend “What in the world…is happening in Ukraine?,” on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 12 pm EST. This is the second webinar in a series on international events that may impact FCIL-SIS and the wider AALL membership. The webinar will examine the history and context of the war in the Ukraine, the key legal issues and bodies of law implicated, and will suggest useful resources for law librarians. The panelists are Oona Hathaway and Victor Rud, and the discussion will be moderated by Lidiya Grote. Register at: https://chapman.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpcOiqqDgpGNAZNXwORIc9u9YxqxJl3Rpn