A group of soldiers in Niger ousted President Mohammed Bazum from power after they blockaded his palace in the capital, Niamey. They addressed the public on Wednesday evening on national television and declared the end of the current regime, Al Jazeera reports.
Reading the statement, Colonel Amadou Adramane said that the presidential guard is holding the president in the palace, they have decided to abolish all institutions, close the borders and impose a curfew.
The alleged reasons for the rebellion are Bazum's intention to remove the commander of the presidential guard, General Omar Chiani, and "deteriorating security situation, poor economic and social governance", writes "The Guardian".
In response to the military coup, the Presidency announced that "the army and the national guard are ready to attack the presidential guards involved in the coup if tensions are not calmed." However, when a group of Bazum's supporters tried to approach the palace where the president was kidnapped, members of the rebel guard dispersed them with shots, injuring one person, writes "Deutsche Vele".
Photo: AP/Sam Mednick
According to the latest information, Bazum said in an address on Twitter this morning that "Niger's hard-won democratic gains will be protected and that "all Nigerians who love democracy and freedom would want that".
The reaction of the international community
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOVAS), of which Niger is a member, condemned the "coup attempt" and called on the rebels to release Bazum and return to their barracks.
Regional and global leaders also condemned the coup and called for Bazum's release.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to Bazuma on Wednesday to express "his full support and solidarity".
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany said that "violence is not a means of pursuing political or personal interests."
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he also spoke with Bazuma and "made it clear that he strongly supports him as the country's democratically elected president."
Western President
Niger, which is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world, is one of the last allies of Western countries in the Sahel region in the fight against jihadist militants. That is why his role is very important for the Western powers.
The US says it has spent about $500 million since 2012 to help Niger boost its security.
"Bazum was the West's only hope in the Sahel region." France, the US and the EU have spent a large part of their resources to strengthen Niger," said Ulf Lessing, head of the Sahel programme.
The 2021 election in which Bazum was elected president was the first democratic transition of power in a country that has experienced four more military coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Previously, Bazum was the interior minister and right-hand man of former president Mahamadou Isoufou who voluntarily resigned after two terms in office.
AE/Al Jazeera/DW
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