The Niger population has been informed by mutinous soldiers that a coup is being carried out to remove the president.
Today on official television, the organization—which refers to itself as the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country (CLSP)—made the news.
They asserted that the “defence and security forces” had taken over the country in West Africa as a result of “declining security and poor economic and social governance.”
After president Mohamed Bazoum and his wife were held in the presidential palace, colonel-major Amadou Abdramane advised “external partners” not to interfere.
In Niamey, people gathered outside the structure on the banks of the Niger River to demonstrate against the takeover, but they dispersed shortly.
Other forms of support for the Western-backed leader, however, appear to have persisted, as evidenced by Hassoumi Massoudou, the minister of international affairs, who thinks there is still time to undo the coup.
There was an attempted coup, but of course, we cannot accept it, he told France24. We urge all Nigerien democratic patriots to unite and say “no” to this contentious action that has the potential to reverse decades of national development.
The president should be released without conditions, Mr. Massoudou continued, adding that negotiations are still ongoing.
The Economic Community of West African States’ president of Benin, Patrice Talon, is anticipated to serve as the mediator.
This morning, Mr. Bazoum tweeted, “The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who value freedom and democracy will make sure of it.
Local observers claim that general Tchiani, the president’s intended replacement for the head of the presidential guard, is to blame for the coup.
The national army of the French-speaking nation swore allegiance to the CLSP today, citing the need to “avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces” as justification.
Since achieving independence from France in 1960, Mr. Bazoum has served as Niger’s first democratically elected president.
The leader is supported by the West because to his actions against Islamic State and al-Qaida-linked jihadists who have taken control of nations in Africa’s Sahel region, which is a transitional area between the Sahara and the Sudanese savanna.
Niger was regarded as one of the few remaining glimmers of stability in a region of the continent infamous for its almost never-ending series of coups.
The widespread consensus is that Niger’s security situation is better than many of its neighbours, despite the fact that it has seen terrorist attacks on civilians and military personnel.
Most African nations, including several in other parts of Africa, have attempted to break their ties to the West but have instead turned to Russia.
In the border region of Mali, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a rich businessman, replaced French forces with fighters from the Russian mercenary organisation Wagner.
Wagner is reportedly gaining ground in Burkina Faso, a country that borders Niger.
A picture of Prigozhin allegedly shaking the hand of a man in a suit who is purported to be an ambassador from the Central African Republic appeared just today.
According to reports, only 17 leaders attended the Russia-Africa conference today in St. Petersburg; this was a humiliating setback for Putin, which the Kremlin attributed to pressure from the West.
The new administration in Niger will worry the West that it may lead to a turn towards Russia.
Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell of the UK stated that his country “condemns in the strongest terms” any effort to undermine the stability and democracy of Niger.
Catherine Colonna, the foreign minister of France, declared that her nation “firmly condemns any attempt to take power by force.”
What you should know about the Niger coup:
The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country’s ‘defence and security forces’ have made an attempt to topple President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger.
In the nation’s first peaceful transition of power since it earned independence from France in 1960, he is the first democratically elected president.
He enjoys the backing of the West in the struggle against jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
There are worries that the new government would succumb to more extremists and follow the lead of neighbouring nations by turning to Russia.
Both demonstrations in support of the coup and those against it have taken place.
Mr. Bazoum and his ministers exhort the people of Niger to resist and “safeguard democracy.”