Members of the presidential guard are allegedly holding the president of Niger hostage, sparking fears from regional leaders that a coup is taking place in the country.
According to a report by CNN, the atmosphere in the country’s capital, Niamey, is tense as the area around the presidential palace where President Mohamed Bazoum is apparently being held resembles a ghost town. Sources reveal that the armed forces of Niger retaliated by surrounding the presidential compound and declaring their support for Mr. Bazoum against the disgruntled members of the presidential guard.
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Protestors took to the streets of Niamey to express their support of President Bazoum despite the alleged attempted coup d’etat. According to a statement issued by the army, they expressed their loyalty to the president and assured the public that President Mohammed Bazoum and his family were safe. The president’s office stated in a tweet that the guards had attempted in vain to enlist military assistance in their “anti-republican” endeavors.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the African Union and West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said that there had been an “attempt to seize power by force” in the West African nation.
ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition.
Part of the Statement by ECOWAS
In addition to expressing their concern, the governments of France and the United States have pushed the participating guardsmen to alter their course. Through the leadership of Bazoum, Niger has emerged as a crucial ally of the West in the war against jihadist extremism in Africa’s Sahel area.
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The move against the president of Niger follows military coups in Burkina Faso and Mali, two neighboring countries, which were swiftly followed by a strong turn away from the West.
