Nigerien soldiers have declared their assumption of power from
President Mohamed Bazoum, who has
been under detention since early Wednesday.
In a televised broadcast during the early hours of Thursday, 10
senior officers announced the coup, stating that the National Council of the
State Guard of the Nation had taken action to “terminate the familiar
regime.”
The soldiers cited the deteriorating security situation and
mismanagement of social and economic matters as their reasons for seizing
power. Nevertheless, they assured their support for all commitments made by
Niger.
Prior to the broadcast, the soldiers had cordoned off President
Bazoum’s office and residence using military vehicles.
In response to the situation, crowds gathered in the capital
city, Niamey, to express support for the president, but the soldiers used
gunfire to disperse them.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stepped
in by sending the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, to Niger. President Talon
met with ECOWAS Chairman President Bola Tinubu in Abuja before proceeding with
his intervention efforts.
President Tinubu had already condemned the coup, warning that
both the regional body and the global community would not tolerate any
disruption of constitutional order within the sub-region.
