In Niger, a coup is ongoing as President Mohamed Bazoum is reportedly being detained by members of the Presidential Guard inside his palace in the capital Niamey.
The soldiers have appeared on national television to declare a coup. They claimed to have locked the country’s borders, repealed the constitution, and suspended all institutions.
President Bazoum has been in custody since early Wednesday and in a phone call to him, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed the United States “unwavering support”.
Additionally, the president was given the UN’s full backing, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who claimed to have spoken with him.
Mr. Bazoum is a crucial ally of the West in the conflict with Islamist militancy in West Africa.
The TV announcement on Wednesday had the supposed leader of the coup, Maj Amadou Abdramane, along with nine other uniformed men standing behind him, confirm that the security forces have decided to put an end to Bazoum’s regime following the continuing deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social governance of the country.
He also said that all of the country’s institutions had been suspended and that the heads of the ministries would take care of day-to-day business.
He went on to say that, “all external partners are asked not to interfere.
“Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised.”
He stated that, until further notice, a nighttime curfew would be in place from 22:00 to 5:00 local time.
He claimed that the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CLSP) was represented by the military.
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