In Niger, the Presidential Palace was blockaded, as soldiers took President Mohammed Bazoum into custody late on Wednesday in Niamey, the capital. This was announced by Colonel Abadou Abdramane who read out a statement on national television, flanked by other troops in uniforom. They said that they had taken the drastic srep in view of the deterioriating governance and security situation in the unstable nation.
On television, the soldiers also announced that all institutions of the republic as well as its international borders were shut for the time being. They warned against foreign intervention, announced a national curfew and that President Bazoum was "safe and well". U.S Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had spoken to the captive President, having “conveyed the unwavering support of the United States … the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights”.
Blinken also added “I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning, and made clear that the US resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger. We call for his immediate release.
“We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. We’re actively engaged with the Niger government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully.”
The U.N also condemned the action and called for action. Sources close to President Bazoum called the latest move a "fit of temper" by his elite Presidential Guard, which was part of the military group orchestrating the apparent coup. Talks were said to be underway after elite troops blocked access to the Palace early on Wednesday.
The sudden coup by the elite forces was challenged by the larger Army and National Guard establishment. They threatened to attack their fellow men-in-arms, lest they chose to stand down. A source also reported that although the President's location was unclear, him and his family were safe and sound at the residence. The latest coup threw the country, already reeling under not one but two jihadist movements into further jeopardy.
Niger's military receives logistical support and training from the U.S and France which have bases in the country. Bazoum, who was elected in 2021 is a close ally of the French Republic and Macron's governnment. This is the third coup he has seen during his time in office. The first two failed, one shortly after he was elected in 2021, and the second while he was on tour in Turkey in 2018. In the first, multiple suspects were arrested including the ringleader, an air force captain Gouraza who was later sentenced for 20 years.
Two-thirds desert, lying at the heart of the Sahel, the 22 milion strong Niger constantly ranks close to the bottom on the U.N development indice, the measure indicating the high levels of instability the country faces. It hopes it can weather the present crisis too.
