A group of mutinous soldiers announced their intention to overthrow the democratically elected president of Niger.
The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country released a statement on state television claiming that their action was due to the nation’s deteriorating security situation and bad economic and social governance.
This attempt at a coup has caused an uproar among international powers, who have expressed strong condemnation towards this illegitimate power grab.
The tumultuous events began earlier in the day when members of Niger’s presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace and detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
At first, it was unclear if these actions were supported by other parts of the military or where Bazoum had been taken.
That evening, however, Air Force Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane appeared on a video broadcasted on state television with nine other officers announcing they had seized control and put an end to government institutions until further notice.
They also suspended all aerial and land borders as well as imposed a curfew across the country until “the situation stabilized”.
In response to this attempted overthrowing of democracy, governments from around the world have strongly condemned these actions including those from France, United States , U.N., African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to name a few.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called President Bazoum directly to show his support while White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan issued a statement urging elements within the Presidential Guard to release him without any conditions and refrain from violence.
Similarly ECOWAS Commission Chairman Bola Tinubu promised that regional forces would do everything within its power “to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region”.
Amidst these efforts hundreds gathered in Niamey chanting “No coup d’état” showing support for their president despite multiple rounds gunfire being shot from what witnesses believed came from inside presidential palace itself .
