The UN Security Council condemned today, Friday, "efforts to change the legitimate authority of Niger in an unconstitutional manner," and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Niger's President, Mohamed Bazoum. The 15-member council emphasized the need to protect Bazoum, his family, and members of his government in a unanimously agreed statement. The statement indicated that "Security Council members expressed concern regarding the negative impact of unconstitutional changes of government in the region, the increase in terrorist activities, and the deteriorating socio-economic situation."
The US State Department announced yesterday, Friday, that Secretary Antony Blinken informed ousted President Bazoum during a phone call that the United States would work to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order following the military coup there. The department added that Blinken also spoke by phone with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, discussing efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger. On Saturday, Blinken called for the immediate release of Niger's President and the restoration of democratic order in the country. He affirmed that the economic and security partnership between the United States and Niger, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, relies on the continuation of democratic governance and constitutional order, which has halted in recent days.
The coup leaders in Niger have appointed General Abdourahamane Tiani as the new head of state following the seventh military coup in West and Central Africa in less than three years. Tiani is the commander of the presidential guard that detained Bazoum at the presidential palace on Wednesday and later announced his dismissal due to mismanagement and the deterioration of the security situation.
