Soldiers claim to have deposed Niger’s government in an apparent coup on Wednesday, when members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
The president’s apartment and offices in the capital Niamey were shut off by members of the special guard, who “refused to release” him when talks broke down, according to a presidential source to How Africa.
The troops announced that “all institutions” in the country would be halted, that borders would be closed, and that a curfew would be imposed “until further notice” from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“We, the defence and security forces… have decided to put an end to the regime” of President Bazoum, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said in a televised address late Wednesday.
“This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance,” he added, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers.
Regional and global leaders have urged for Bazoum’s release. He took office two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful transition of power since the country’s independence from France in 1960.
Patrice Talon, the president of neighboring Benin, will travel to Niamey for mediation efforts, according to the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Bazoum, one of the Sahel’s few pro-Western leaders, was elected in April 2021, taking the leadership of a country beleaguered by poverty and terrorist insurgencies.
In a message on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, the president’s office said “elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper… (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard”.
“The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition,” the presidency said.
“The president and his family are well,” it added.
Bazoum’s supporters attempted to approach the official complex hours after his imprisonment, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning bullets, according to an AFP reporter.
One individual was injured, but it was unclear if he was hit by a bullet or fell as the throng dispersed.
In a statement, the ruling coalition parties in Niamey condemned “a suicidal and anti-republican madness,” claiming that “certain elements of the presidential guard sequestered the President” and his family, as well as the interior minister.
Condemnation also poured in from beyond the nation’s borders.
ECOWAS and the African Union both decried what they called an “attempted coup d’etat”.
ECOWAS demanded Bazoum’s immediate and unconditional release, warning that anyone implicated will be held accountable for his safety.
The European Union stated that it “associates itself” with the ECOWAS declaration and condemns “any attempt to destabilize democracy and threaten Niger’s stability.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he spoke with Bazoum to express Washington’s support, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he “strongly condemns the unconstitutional change in government” in Niger.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said it was “following the developments in the country with great concern,” and Catherine Colonna, the foreign minister of Niger’s former colonial power France, condemned “all attempts to take power by force.”
President Talon was scheduled to arrive in Niamey on Thursday, following a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday.
Tinubu stated that Talon will negotiate between the Presidential Guard and Bazoum in order to reach an accord.