Fears of coup as soldiers detain Niger President

The Presidential Palace housing President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger in Niamey, the capital, has been blocked by soldiers of the Presidential Guard.

Several ministries were also affected by the blockade.

There were fears of coup as the guards have detained the president.

The disgruntled soldiers sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices. The soldiers also refused to release the president.

The army has reportedly given the renegade soldiers ultimatum.

The president’s office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.

One source said talks were underway.

Reports say the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former presidents are currently involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating.

“The President of the Republic and his family are doing well. The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack” those involved in this incident, the president’s office added.

The landlocked West African state has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups.

President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, is a close ally of France.

The country’s last coup occurred in February 2010, overturning then President Mamadou Tandja.

Niger is grappling with two jihadist campaigns – one in the south-west, which swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015, and the other in the south-east, involving jihadists based in north-eastern Nigeria.

Militant groups allied to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State are active in the country.

Two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups recently triggered by jihadist uprisings.

The Star