According to an Al Jazeera News report: A military coup has been initiated against the elected President of Niger.
News report goes on to say that, soldiers in Niger claimed to have removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power late on Wednesday, hours after members of the presidential guard detained the politician at his official residence.
In a statement broadcast on national television, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said that “the defence and security forces … have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with”.
“This follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management.”
The soldier said the country’s borders were closed and a nationwide curfew was in place. All institutions of the country were also suspended, he added.
Abdramane was seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues as he read out his statement. The group, which is calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, warned against any foreign intervention.
The announcement came after a day of uncertainty as Niger’s presidency reported that members of the elite guard unit were engaging in an “anti-Republican demonstration” and news agencies reported that Bazoum was being held at the palace by the mutinous forces.
It was unclear where the president was at the time of Abdramane’s announcement or if he had resigned.
Source: Al Jazeera
Other international media has also stated that the military has asked the third parties to not interfere in the internal matters of the country. Furthermore it is reported that, a curfew has been imposed in Niger following the supposed coup d’état.
The US has already issued a statement calling for President Bazoum’s immediate release.
