Is the President of Niger detained by guards? The Presidential Palace recognizes for the first time the President | Niger | Guards
On the late night of July 26th local time, Niger's military personnel who detained the President issued a statement on national television stating that Niger's President Bazum had been dismissed and ordered a nationwide curfew from 7pm to 5pm the next day, with the border closed until further notice.
On that day, it was reported that the official residence of Niger's President Bazum was blocked by members of the Presidential Guard, but the specific reason is unknown.
【 Previous reports 】
According to reports from Agence France Presse and Reuters, a source close to Niger's President Mohammad Bazum said on July 26th that Bazum is being detained by some members of the presidential guard, and the military has issued them an "ultimatum".
The source said that dissatisfied members of the guard blocked the passage into the presidential residence and office, and "refused to release the president" after negotiations broke down. The source said, "The military has issued an ultimatum to them."
The latest news shows that at 18:00 local time on July 26th, the office of the Niger Presidential Palace posted on social media, stating that after President Bazum was detained by guards in the presidential palace that morning, there have been demonstrations and marches by people in the capital Niamey and many parts of the country. This is the first time that the Niger Presidential Office has acknowledged the detention of a president by guards. Earlier that day, according to multiple foreign media reports, the official residence of Niger's President Bazum was sealed off by members of the Presidential Guard, but the specific reason is unknown.
Previously, the Presidential Office issued a statement on the 26th stating that some members of the Presidential Guard had launched a "futile" "anti republican" operation, and if they could not "wake up", the Nationalist Army would be prepared to launch an attack on them.
The statement also stated that President Bazum and his family are safe and sound. Previously, security sources said that the Presidential Guard had detained Bazum inside the Presidential Palace.
Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa, is one of the countries with the most frequent coups in the world. Since gaining independence from French colonial rule in 1960, the country has experienced four coups and multiple attempted coups. Bazum will come to power in 2021 through democratic elections.
UN Secretary General Guterres: closely monitoring the situation in Niger
On July 26th local time, UN Secretary General Guterres issued a statement stating that he is closely monitoring the situation in Niger. Guterres strongly condemns any actions that undermine the governance, peace, and stability of Niger.
Guterres called on all relevant personnel to exercise restraint and ensure the protection of constitutional order.