Presidential guards in Niger have seized President Mohamed Bazoum and blockaded his residence, as well as key ministries, according to multiple media reprts.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission has condemned the events, describing them as “unacceptable”.
The president’s office in a statement stated that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.
The AU said it has been “Informed of an attempt by cer- tain members of the military to undermine the stability of democratic and republican institutions in Niger, which is tantamount to an attempted coup d’état, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Maha- mat, strongly condemns such actions by members of the military acting in total betrayal of their republican duty”.
He urges them to immediately cease these unacceptable actions.
The Chairperson further calls on the people of Niger, all their brothers in Africa, particularly in ECOWAS, and around the world, to join their voices in unanimous condemnation of this coup attempt, and for the immediate and uncondi- tional return of the felon soldiers to their barracks.
One unnamed source told AFP the move was a “fit of temper” by troops.
Reports had said the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former leaders were involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating, but it is not clear if those talks are still taking place.
A source cited by AFP as being close to the president said that the talks had broken down and that the guards, who have refused to release the president, have been issued an ultimatum by the army.
“The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack” those involved in this incident, the president’s office said in a tweet. “The President of the Republic and his family are doing well,” it added.