A group of Niger soldiers have announced the overthrown of President Mohamed Bazoum in a military coup, late Wednesday evening.
The coup occurred just hours after the president was detained in the presidential palace.
During a televised address, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, accompanied by nine other officers, read a statement declaring that the defense and security forces had taken the decision to remove President Bazoum from power.
They cited the escalating security situation and alleged mismanagement of the government as reasons for their actions.
“Put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance,” Abdramane declared.
He said Niger’s borders are closed, a nationwide curfew declared, and all institutions of the republic are suspended.
The soldiers warned against any foreign intervention, adding that they will respect Bazoum’s wellbeing.
GOOD EVENING NIGERIA learns that the military takeover marks the seventh coup in the West and Central Africa region since 2020.
READ ALSO: Coup feared as Niger’s president being held inside palace – Security sources
It is also the fifth the Niger has witnessed, as well as numerous coup attempts, since it gained independence from France in 1960.
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari had described the last coup attempt in 2021 as “utterly naïve, despicable, and unacceptable”.
The army had tried to seize the presidential palace, days before Bazoum was sworn in.
ECOWAS, AU, Others kick against military coup in Niger
Following the of President Bazoum on Wednesday, world leaders, diplomats and organisations have voiced against the possible coup.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu who is also the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said the body will not tolerate acts that undermine democracy in the region.
Shortly after his statement, ECOWAS deployed Beninese President Patrice Talon to the country.
READ ALSO: ECOWAS Won’t Tolerate Coup In Niger Republic – Tinubu
Moussa Mahamat, the African Union (AU) chairperson, also expressed “strong” displeasure with the development in the west African country.
Mahamat said members of the military betrayed their republican duty and urged them to immediately reverse course.
Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, said he is standing firmly by Bazoum, while conveying Washington’s “unwavering support” for the embattled president.
Antonio Guterres, United Nations (UN) secretary-general, also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN’s full support.