Niger Soldiers Announces Coup, Close Borders

Soldiers in Niger Republic claimed to have taken over power from President Mohammed Bazoum, hours after he was detained at his official residence.

In a statement broadcast by Colonel Amadou Abdramane, who appeared on the West African Nation’s national television in the early hours of Thursday, defense and security forces have decided to “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”

In the broadcast, Abdramane, flanked by 9 senior officers said Niger’s borders are closed, a nationwide curfew declared, and all institutions of the republic are suspended. The group, which is calling itself National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, warned against external interventions.

The announcement came after a day of uncertainty as members of Niger’s presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace and detained President Bazoum. The African Union and West African regional bloc ECOWAS had condemned what they called an attempted coup d’état.

Bazoum’s election was the first democratic transition of power in Niger, after the country has witnessed four military coups since independence from France in 1960. On Wednesday, crowds had taken to the streets in support of President Bazoum, but were dispersed by gunfire from the soldiers.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had intervened by sending the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, to Niger. President Talon flew into the country on Wednesday afternoon to assess the situation after meeting with Nigerian President and ECOWAS Chairman Bola Tinubu.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, President Talon said “All means will be used, if necessary, to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the ideal would be for everything to be done in peace and harmony.”

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