Sources report that angry security guards have blocked access to the president’s palace and offices, refusing to “release the president” despite failed negotiations. In response, the military has given the security guards an ultimatum. The situation has caused tensions to escalate, with the Army and National Guard prepared to take action if the security guards do not back down.
A message on Twitter from an unidentified source indicates the seriousness of the situation. The Blue House has confirmed that the president and his family are safe, but the standoff remains unresolved.
The current turmoil is part of a coup that began in Niger on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. A group of soldiers appeared on national television to announce the end of the regime led by democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum. They have established a National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP), led by an undisclosed individual.
Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, the spokesman for the coup plotters, together with nine other officers from various army corps, outlined the reasons for the coup in three press releases. They also issued a warning against any external interference.
Niger, one of Africa’s poorest countries, has experienced numerous coups in its history, and this latest development is a significant challenge to the elected government. The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments in the country.
