Benin's President will mediate, Niger's detained President Bazum speaks in the early morning! Coup soldiers claim to be dismissed as president | Niger | speak up
Niamey News: Niger's President Bazum said on social media in the early hours of the 27th that the hard won democratic achievements of Niger will eventually be protected, and the people of Niger will see this result. Niger's Foreign Minister Hasumi stated on the same day that the coup attempt will eventually fail. He called on all patriots to take action and prevent this dangerous action.
On the evening of the 26th, military representatives of the Niger coup issued a statement on national television, stating that President Mohammad Bazum has been dismissed by the military and will close the border and implement a curfew nationwide.
The United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States condemn actions that undermine peace and stability in Niger. Benin's President Patrice Talon will represent the Western Community to mediate in the capital of Niger, Niamey.
The President has been detained
The footage broadcasted by Niger's national television on the evening of the 26th showed that the coup military representative Amadou Abdullah, accompanied by 9 military officers, read a statement stating that Bazum had been relieved of his presidency, citing "the continued deterioration of the security situation in Niger and the government's inadequate economic and social governance.".
On the 26th, Bazum was detained by the Presidential Guard at the Presidential Palace in Niamey. Agence France Presse quoted sources as saying that dissatisfied members of the Presidential Guard blocked the Presidential Office and official residence, and "refused to release" Bazum after negotiations broke down.
Agence France Presse reporters saw that after Bazum was detained, some supporters of him attempted to approach the Presidential Palace but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard. The Presidential Guard fired a warning shot. Reuters reported that the atmosphere seemed calm in other parts of Niamey, with normal traffic flow and uninterrupted Internet service.
Abdul Rahman said in a statement that Niger will close its borders, implement a nationwide curfew, and all government agencies will briefly cease operations.
Reuters reported that the coup soldiers warned foreign countries not to intervene and they will respect the rights of Bazum.
Bazum took office as President in April 2021 and previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of State.
[Multiple concerns]
International and regional organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the Western European Community expressed concern about the situation in Niger on the 26th and condemned actions that undermine peace and stability.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemns any attempt to seize power in a statement and calls on all parties to exercise restraint.
The African Union and the Western Community have respectively issued statements condemning the coup attempt. The Western Community called on the Niger military to immediately and unconditionally release Bazum, warning that military personnel involved in the detention of the president will be held accountable.
On the 26th, the rotating chairman of the Western Community and Nigerian President Bola Tinub met with Benin President Talon in the capital Abuja. Talon will represent the Western Community in mediating in Niger. Tinub said that Talon will coordinate with Bazum and the military to find a solution.
Talon told the media Agence France Presse on the same day that he may arrive in Niamey on the 27th.
Frequent Coups
Reuters reported that this is the seventh coup in central and western Africa since 2020. The changing situation in Niger may further complicate the security situation in the Sahel region and affect efforts to combat terrorism.
Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa that gained independence in 1960. According to Agence France Presse, Niger has previously experienced four coups and multiple attempted coups.
On March 31, 2021, the spokesperson of the Niger government, Zakaria Abdul Rahman, confirmed that the Niger government had thwarted a coup attempt that day.
Agence France Presse reported on the 27th that when Bazum was in Türkiye last March, there was an attempted coup in Niger, using a Nigerian government official as the source.
Since 2015, Niger has suffered multiple terrorist attacks, resulting in significant casualties. Affected by the situation in Libya and Mali, as well as the terrorist activities of the extremist organization Boko Haram, a large number of refugees have flooded into Niger. In 2022, there were at least 18 terrorist attacks in Niger, resulting in over a hundred deaths. Since the beginning of this year, Niger has experienced multiple terrorist attacks, resulting in dozens of deaths.
