The Niger Army leadership announced today, Thursday, its support for a coup executed by presidential guard soldiers yesterday, stating that its priority is to avoid destabilizing the country. The army, in a statement signed by the Chief of Staff, declared, "We have decided to adhere to the declaration" made by soldiers who announced in a televised speech late last night that they had ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from power.
The army emphasized, "We need to ensure the physical safety of the president and his family and avoid a deadly confrontation... which could lead to a bloodbath and affect the security of the population." Supporters of the coup raided the ruling party's headquarters in the capital, Niamey, setting it on fire. A Reuters correspondent observed plumes of black smoke rising into the sky above the building, as hundreds of coup supporters gathered in front of the National Assembly. The police used tear gas to disperse them. The crowd played music to express their support for the army, with some waving Russian flags and chanting anti-France slogans, reflecting a growing wave of dissatisfaction towards Paris, the former colonial power, and its influence in the Sahel region.
Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum vowed on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to protect "the hard-earned gains" and asserted that Nigerien citizens who love democracy will safeguard those gains. He stated, "The hard-earned gains will be preserved. All Nigeriens who cherish democracy and freedom will ensure it."
Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou also called on the platform X for all democrats and patriots to work towards thwarting this "dangerous gamble." Military officials in Niger announced late Wednesday via national television the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum and the closure of borders, following the detention of the elected president by the presidential guard. The military stated that they had ousted the regime of President Bazoum in a declaration made by a military spokesperson on national television in Niamey, on behalf of the "National Council for the Protection of the Homeland."
Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers, remarked, "We, the defense and security forces, gathered in the National Council for the Protection of the Homeland, have decided to put an end to the regime that you know." He added, "This decision comes in light of the continued deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social management." The council assured that it would respect all commitments made by Niger, also assuring "the national and international community regarding the respect of the physical and moral integrity of the ousted authorities in accordance with human rights principles."
The coup leaders' statement also mentioned "suspending all institutions stemming from the seventh republic. The secretaries general of ministries will be responsible for conducting business. The defense and security forces will manage the situation, and all foreign partners are requested not to interfere." Additionally, "land and air borders will be closed until the situation stabilizes," and "a curfew will be imposed from today, from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM GMT across the territory until further notice," as stated in the declaration.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged those holding President Mohamed Bazoum to release him "immediately and unconditionally." He stated, "Stop undermining democracy in the country and respect the rule of law."
Earlier on Wednesday, the presidency in Niger announced that the presidential guard had begun a "movement against the republic," expressing in a statement on "X" that the army was prepared to attack the presidential guard if they did not return to their senses, asserting that "the president and his family are safe." The presidential guard cut off access roads to the palace in the capital, Niamey, detaining Bazoum inside, marking the sixth coup experienced by West Africa since 2020.
Political analyst in Niger Idriss Ayat stated that the success of the coup is a testament to the power of the faction loyal to former President Mahamadou Issoufou, which won the struggle against Bazoum, and is an indication of the extent of loyalty among the former leadership to him. Ayat noted that the country witnessed a battle of wills between Bazoum and Issoufou that reached a point of no return after Bazoum's desire to replace leaders loyal to his predecessor with those loyal to him.
Condemnations of the coup came from various quarters. The African Union condemned the "attempted coup" in Niger, where elements of the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, calling for the "immediate and unconditional return" of the military to their barracks. African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mohamed expressed "serious condemnation of this behavior by soldiers who are committing a complete betrayal of their republican duty" and urged them to "immediately stop this unacceptable act."
Faki Mohamed spoke to President Mohamed Bazoum, who was reportedly in a good position, asserting, "I spoke with him today. He is fine." France expressed its "strong condemnation of any attempt to seize power by force" in Niger, its main ally in the Sahel region, which is experiencing a coup attempt following the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by elements of the presidential guard. The French Foreign Ministry called for the immediate restoration of democratic institutions in Niger and the release of its elected president following what they described as a "power grab" in the country.
France affirmed its support for regional efforts to find a way out of the crisis that respects the democratic framework of Niger and enables the immediate restoration of civilian authority. A spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry stated that "France is concerned about the current events in Niger and is closely monitoring the developing situation."
The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, noted that the United States does not see any substantial indications of Russian involvement or the presence of the Wagner Group in the coup in Niger. She added that Washington is urging American citizens in Niger to exercise caution. The Economic Community of West African States condemned the "attempted coup in Niger," calling for the "immediate" release of the elected president.
The European Union, through its foreign policy chief, condemned "any attempt to undermine democracy and threaten stability in Niger." Josep Borrell expressed "great concern regarding the events taking place in Niamey" and confirmed that "the European Union joins the Economic Community of West African States in condemning what is happening."
The German Foreign Ministry stated, "Berlin is following the events in Niger with great concern and condemns the attempt by factions within the military to overthrow the constitutional democratic regime of the West African country." The ministry emphasized, "Violence is not a means to achieve political or personal interests," and called for the "immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that constitutional order should be restored in Niger following the military coup that occurred yesterday, as reported by the TASS news agency.
