Soldiers in the Republic of Niger in West Africa announced a coup on national television.
They claimed to have locked the country’s borders, repealed the constitution, and suspended all institutions.
Since early on Wednesday, soldiers from the presidential guard have been keeping Niger President Mohamed Bazoum in custody.
In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: “We, the defence 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.”
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.
“All external partners are asked not to interfere,” he went on. “Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised.”
He added a night curfew would take effect from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice.
Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).
After the soldiers’ TV announcement, Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum.
He told a news conference in New Zealand that “what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution”.
In a phone call, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken assured him of Washington’s “unwavering support.”
Also claiming to have spoken with the president, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres extended the UN’s complete support.
Bazoum is a crucial ally of the West in the conflict with Islamist militancy in West Africa.
Recent Islamist uprisings have resulted in coups in two neighboring nations, Mali and Burkina Faso.
In both countries, the new military leaders have fallen out with France, the former colonial power, which also formerly ruled Niger.
Bazoum’s whereabouts are unclear but in a statement on the social media platform Twitter on Thursday morning, he said the “hard-won gains will be safeguarded” and that Nigeriens who love democracy will see to it.
President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, is a close ally of France, and other Western nations.
Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups.
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