The soldiers participating in the coup unfolding in the Niger Republic have issued a warning against foreign interference in the country’s political situation.
In a late-night address on Wednesday, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane announced the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum from office.
Abdramane’s statement confimed the earlier reports of suspicion regarding a coup attempt, as soldiers from Niger’s presidential guard had surrounded and restricted President Bazoum’s access to his office and residence.
Ealier, Abdramane, in his address, was flanked by some soldiers, it is unclear if they are acting on behalf of the country’s military.
Ministries next to the palace have also been blocked off, and staff have not been able to access their offices. Amidst this coup, Niamey, the country capital has been calm, no gunfire reported yet.
The coup has got the world leader concern as Moussa Faki, chairperson of the African Union, condemned the military for “acting in total betrayal of their republican duty”, urging the “felon soldiers” to return to their barracks
Anthony Blinken, the United State secretary of state called for the release of Bazoum’s immediately adding that the military’s actions clearly show “an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution’’, while he offered Washington’s “unwavering support”.
Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), expressed his close monitoring of the evolving situation in Niger. He strongly condemned any attempt to seize power through force and undermine democratic governance, peace, and stability in the country.
The UN said it would always stand by the government and the people of Niger.
President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic was immediately deployed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to Niger to assess the unfolding crisis. Before his departure to the Niger, he met the ECOWAS chairperson, President Bola Tinubu.
The Nigerian President assured that the union during would not tolerate anti-democratic acts and would do everything to restore order in the unstable West African country.
All borders into the country were closed and all institutions were suspended after the colonel-major’s statement.
