Late on Wednesday, a group of soldiers appeared on Niger’s national television, announcing the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from power. Colonel Amadou Abdramane, flanked by nine other officers, read a statement declaring that the defence and security forces had taken this action due to the deteriorating security situation and perceived mismanagement of the country.
In response to the coup, Niger’s borders have been closed, a nationwide curfew has been imposed, and all institutions of the republic have been suspended. The soldiers also warned against foreign intervention and assured that they would ensure Bazoum’s safety.
This marks the seventh coup in the West and Central Africa region since 2020 and could complicate efforts by Western countries to combat the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region. Niger has been a vital ally for Western powers in this fight, but recent political changes in Mali and Burkina Faso have led to tensions with the new ruling authorities.
Bazoum’s election in Niger was a significant milestone as it marked the first democratic transition of power in a nation that has experienced multiple military coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Various international leaders and organizations, including the African Union, ECOWAS, the United States, the European Union, and France, have condemned the coup and called for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
In response to the military’s actions, President Bazoum and Niger’s Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou conveyed messages on social media, emphasizing the preservation of hard-won gains and urging democrats and patriots to resist the “perilous adventure” of the coup.
The situation in Niger remains closely monitored by the international community, given the country’s strategic importance in the fight against terrorism and irregular migration in the Sahel region.
