Niger’s soldiers say they have removed President Mohamed Bazoum after militants blockaded the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital of one of the world’s most unstable countries.
A group of soldiers appeared on Niger’s national television late Wednesday, hours after the president’s arrest.
Surrounded by nine other officers in battle-wear, Colonel Amadou Abdullahman read a statement in which he said the defense forces and security forces were “putting an end to the regime you know because of the deteriorating security situation and poor governance.
Soldiers, including members of the Bazoum Presidential Guard, are said to have previously negotiated with the President, who is said to be “safe and well” although his whereabouts are unknown.
As the situation unfolded, the White House announced that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Mr. Bazoum, and “expressed the unwavering support of the United States … The strong economic and security partnership of the United States with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights.
Mr Blinken, who is visiting New Zealand, later said: “I spoke with President Bazoum this morning and made it clear that the United States strongly supports him as the democratically elected President of Niger.”
A source close to Bazoum described the move as a “tantrum” by elite forces, adding that talks continued after soldiers barred entry into the palace around 6pm.
Access to ministries adjacent to the palace was also cut off, security officials said.
The President of the African Union Commission His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat has condemned what he called a “coup attempt”. If confirmed, it would be the fifth coup attempt in West Africa in four years.
Bola Tinub, president of neighboring Nigeria and head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called the incident an “unpleasant development” and said he was already in “close contact” with other leaders in the region about the situation. We are in talks with.” .
“The leadership of Ecowas will not accept any action that interferes with the proper functioning of legitimate authorities in Niger or in any part of West Africa… Our democracy will be firmly established and nurtured.” The region is well established and thriving,” he said in a statement.
However, security sources at the time said there was an attempted coup just days before Bazoum took office in April 2021.
A second attempt to overthrow Bazoum took place in March this year while the president was in Turkey, according to Nigerian officials, who announced arrests.