Soldiers in the Republic of Niger in West Africa announced a coup on national television. This is even as President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and the United States (US) have condemned efforts to seize power by force in an apparent coup attempt to oust President Mohamed Bazoum in the Sahel state of Niger Republic on Wednesday.

However, the coupists claimed they have locked the country’s borders, repealed the constitution, and suspended all institutions.

Since early on Wednesday, soldiers from the presidential guard have been keeping Niger President Mohamed Bazoum in custody.

“All external partners are asked not to interfere,” he went on. “Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised.”

He added a night curfew would take effect from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice.

Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: “We, the defence and security forces have decided to put an end to the regime you know.

“This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social governance.”

President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, is a close ally of France, and other Western nations.

Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups.

Tinubu, Buhari, Biden, UN, EU, AU, ECOWAS Kick

But President Tinubu, who is Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS, said a military takeover in one of its member-states would be rejected.

Tinubu who is ECOWAS Chairman said a military takeover would be rejected.

“Information filtering in from the Republic of Niger indicates some unpleasant developments around the country’s highest political leadership.

“It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.

“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa. I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our power to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well-rooted and thrives in our region.

“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.

“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”

ECOWAS and AU issued separate statements condemning an “attempted coup d’etat.”

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari also described the attempted coup as “utterly naïve, despicable, and unacceptable”.

Buhari urged African leaders to “remain united against coups under whatever guise or form”, and warned “coup plotters to learn from history on the consequences of instability caused by violent takeover of governments”.

The UN Secretary-General and the United States both condemned efforts to seize power by force in an apparent coup attempt.

Guterres called “on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order,” Dujarric added.

“The United States is deeply concerned about today’s developments in Niger,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement from the White House.

“We strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger’s democratically elected government,” Sullivan said, adding that “we specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence.”

France, Niger’s former colonial power, and neighbouring Algeria also issued condemnations.

The European Union also said it “associates itself” with the ECOWAS statement and condemned “any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability” of Niger.

Soldiers belonging to Niger’s presidential guard surrounded and restricted access to President Mohamed Bazoum’s office and residence.

“The army has given them an ultimatum,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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. The reason for the guards’ anger was not disclosed.

According to Reuters, ministries next to the palace have also been blocked off, and staff inside the palace have not been able to access their offices.

The rest of Niamey, Niger’s capital, however, appears calm.

LSI Africa reports that discussions are underway between mutineers and the president.

The West African country is one of the most unstable nations in the world, experiencing four coups since independence from France in 1960.

According to an AFP journalist, the Presidential Guards fired warning shots to disperse demonstrators and supporters, who tried to approach the presidential complex where the head of state is being held. They scattered when the shots were fired.

Benin Republic’s President Patrice Talon is travelling to Niger to mediate after the country’s leader was held by his guards in an apparent attempted coup, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said on Wednesday.

Disgruntled members of President Mohamed Bazoum’s elite guard on Wednesday sealed off his residence and offices in Niger’s capital Niamey and after talks have refused to release him.

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