Niger soldiers announce coup, hold President hostage, dissolve constitution

Niamey: Niger soldiers on Wednesday announced a coup on national TV, holding President Mohamed Bazoum hostage by the presidential guards at his residence in the capital Niamey.

The soldiers also declared the dissolution of the constitution, suspension of institutions, closure of borders, and a night curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice.

In the TV announcement, the soldiers led by Col Maj Amadou Abdramane said, "We, the defense and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know. This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social governance."

"All external partners are asked not to interfere... Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilized," he said, adding that the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

The country’s Interior Minister Hamadou Souley was also arrested by the presidential guard and is being held along with the President.

A statement on the presidency’s social media channels said that Bazoum is “doing well” and the army and national guard were “ready to attack the elements of the GP (Presidential Guard) involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses”, CNN reported.

Hundreds of protesters later gathered in Niamey in support of President Bazoum. Presidential guards fired “warning shots” to block their advance when protesters were about 300 meters from the presidential palace, according to reports.

After the soldiers' TV announcement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum. "What it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution," he said.

In a short statement released by his spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the coup attempt.

"The Secretary-General is following closely the situation in Niger. He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace, and stability in Niger," according to the statement.

The UN chief "calls on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to ensure the protection of constitutional order. The UN stands by the Government and the people of Niger".

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS also condemned this coup.

Niger's neighboring nations of Mali and Burkina Faso have both experienced military coups in the past few years, in the wake of growing jihadi insurgencies that have destabilized the entire region.

Bazoum was elected in 2021 and Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960.

With inputs from IANS