Niger soldiers oust President Bazoum

A group of soldiers announced on national television late on Wednesday that Niger president Mohamed Bazoum has been ousted from power.

This comes just hours after the president was detained in the presidential palace.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, accompanied by nine other officers, read a statement declaring that the defence and security forces have made the decision to “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance”.

The country’s borders have been closed “until the situation has stabilised” and all institutions of the republic have been suspended, colonel Amadou Abdramane revealed. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed “throughout the national territory until further notice”.

The soldiers issuing the statement also cautioned against any foreign intervention.

Reports suggest that the apparent coup was orchestrated under the leadership of the head of a regional political and security group.

On Wednesday, the presidency’s official Twitter account stated that the presidential guards were involved in what they described as an “anti-Republican demonstration” and attempted in “vain” to garner support from other security forces.

Supporters of Mr Bazoum attempted to approach the presidential complex but were dispersed by members of the presidential guard, it was reported. The guards fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, according to AFP.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, reportedly spoke to Mr Bazoum and “conveyed the unwavering support of the United States … the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights”.