When Bazoum came to office in 2021, it was the country’s first democratic transfer of power. Niger has a long history of military coups since its independence from France in 1960 however in recent years it had been less politically unstable. Niger’s presidential office said on Thursday that “hard-won achievements will be safeguarded.” The statement, which was posted on Twitter and is being rebranded as X, made no mention whether Bazoum is still being detained. He said he had spoken to the president, who is “in good health” and has not been harmed. He called on “mutinous officers to return to their ranks” in an interview with French television station France 24, adding that mediation efforts are under way, including those by the president of Nigeria who is “dialoguing with the military.” National institutions have been suspended and the country’s land borders are temporarily closed, he also said, appearing to read from a text on the table before him.įoreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou called the soldiers’ actions “an attempted coup d’etat” but said “the totality of the army was not behind the coup.” In a video communique, a man identified as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane and flanked by several apparent soldiers, announced, “We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know,” citing a deteriorating security situation in the country and “poor economic and social governance.” Men in military fatigues claimed to have taken power in Niger after President Mohamed Bazoum was reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard on Wednesday, sparking international condemnation and renewed uncertainty in a volatile part of Africa beset by coups and militant extremism.
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