I'm quoted in Jason McLure's
Newsweek article, "
Is There Such Thing As A Good Coup?." Here's the reference:
"I don't believe there is a 'good' extralegal coup," says David Shinn, a former U.S. ambassador to neighboring Burkina Faso. "What Tandja did by rejecting the decisions of Niger's established judicial and legislative institutions and extending himself in office was reprehensible. But the actions of the coup makers were equally wrong."
Here's the full quote I provided to the reporter:
I don't believe there is a "good" extralegal coup. It is just that some are less bad than others. What Tandja did by rejecting the decisions of Niger's established judicial and legislative institutions and extending himself in office was reprehensible. But the actions of the coup makers were equally wrong. The only way that Niger can redeem itself at this point is to return quickly to civilian rule followed by a new free and fair election. I hope the United States and the African Union speak out against both the way in which Tandja remained in power and the manner that he was removed.
