Mutinous soldiers have claimed to have ousted Niger’s democratically elected president in a televised announcement on Wednesday. They cited the country’s deteriorating security situation, as well as issues with economic and social governance, as reasons for their actions. The soldiers declared a suspension of all institutions and stated that security forces were managing the situation. They urged external partners not to interfere. Uncertainty surrounded the whereabouts of President Mohamed Bazoum at the time of the announcement, and it remained unclear if he had resigned.
The group, calling themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, stated their commitment to their engagements with the international and national community. The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States condemned the events as an attempt to unseat President Bazoum. Such threats to his leadership could undermine the efforts of Western powers to stabilize the Sahel region, which has experienced numerous coups in recent years.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the mutiny and pledged support to President Bazoum as the democratically elected leader. The international community strongly condemned the attempted seizure of power, with the UN Secretary-General expressing his full support and solidarity with President Bazoum. France, the United States, and Canada also voiced concern and called for the release of President Bazoum and respect for democratic institutions.
The mutiny is a concerning development for Western powers who saw Bazoum and Niger as a new security anchor for the Sahel region. It remains to be seen whether this is the final outcome, as parts of the army may still remain loyal to the President.
Before the announcement, hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital, Niamey, to show their support for the President and denounce the coup attempt. The international community, including ECOWAS, pledged to resist any attempts to unseat Niger’s government and emphasized the importance of democracy in the region.
Overall, the events in Niger have raised significant concerns about the stability of the Sahel region and the fight against Islamist extremism. The international community will closely monitor the situation and continue to exert pressure to uphold democratic governance in Niger.
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