Stay updated with the latest news from Niger by subscribing to our myFT Daily Digest email. Every morning, we’ll send you a roundup of the most recent developments.
President Mohamed Bazoum, a pro-western leader, faced an attempted coup in Niger as members of the presidential guard prevented him from leaving his residence. In response, the military, which remained loyal to Bazoum, threatened to attack the presidential guard if negotiations failed. The situation remains unresolved, with the outcome uncertain. However, the US, UK, and several other governments have condemned the coup, pledging to protect Niger’s democracy.
The move against Bazoum comes amid a series of military takeovers in the region, including neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which have shifted away from western influence.
Bazoum, who was elected in 2021, has actively sought the support of Western nations, including France and the US, to combat jihadist attacks in Niger’s border regions. However, the attempted coup puts his leadership and Niger’s stability at risk. The Economic Community of West African States has condemned the coup and called for the release of the democratically elected president.
Despite the tense situation, there is still hope that a coup can be avoided. Bazoum’s alliance with the West is crucial in a region where other leaders have distanced themselves from western powers. The international community, including the EU, is closely monitoring the developments and urging a peaceful resolution.
Since taking office, Bazoum has been working to consolidate his power base by appointing individuals loyal to him in key positions. This has caused tensions with those appointed by his predecessor. It is speculated that a decision to retire the head of the presidential guard, which was set to be announced, triggered the rebellion.
To navigate the delicate political landscape of Niger, Bazoum has relied on the support of European and US allies, who have provided funding, equipment, and training to the country’s army. Despite challenges, Niger’s military has been relatively successful in combatting jihadist threats compared to its neighbors.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely following the events and engaging in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. The outcome of this attempted coup will have significant implications for Niger’s stability and its relationship with Western powers.
Additional reporting by Henry Foy from Brussels
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
