Niger President Speaks Out After Coup

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum wrote on social media, calling on people to help protect the country's "achievements", after the military announced his overthrow.

"The hard-won gains will be protected. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will certainly do so," Mr. Bazoum posted on social network X, the new name of Twitter, on July 27.

Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou also posted on social media calling on "all patriots and supporters of democracy" to make the "adventure that endangers the country" fail. "Long live democracy, long live Niger," Mr. Massoudou stressed.

Foreign Minister Massoudou also insisted that President Bazoum's elected government was "legitimate" and was being taken over by coup plotters. He added that the president and his family were "in good health" and remained in military custody.

President Mohamed Bazoum. Photo: AFP — President Mohamed Bazoum. Photo: *AFP*

Earlier, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesman for the Nigerien army, announced on state television on July 26 that the defense and security forces had decided to end President Bazoum's regime. The guards and the army are keeping Mr. Bazoum under house arrest in the presidential palace. Many of Mr. Bazoum's supporters went to the presidential palace to protest but had to disperse after the army fired warning shots.

Abdramane accused the civilian government of mismanagement and the worsening security situation. Niger's military announced it would close the country's borders and impose a nationwide curfew until further notice. It also warned against any foreign interference.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "strongly condemns the unconstitutional change of government" in Niger and is concerned by the arrest of President Bazoum. "The Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to all actions that undermine democratic principles in Niger," his spokesman said.

The US, UK, France, Germany and the World Bank (WB) also condemned the coup, calling on the Niger army to release Mr. Bazoum immediately. "Violence is not a means to enforce political or personal interests," the German Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement.

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, will travel to the capital Niamey to try to broker peace.

Supporters of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum hold up his portrait on the streets of the capital Niamey on July 26. Photo: AFP — Supporters of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum hold up his portrait on the streets of the capital Niamey on July 26. Photo: *AFP*

Mr. Bazoum, 64, took office two years ago in Niger's first peaceful transfer of power since independence from France in 1960. Niger is a landlocked country with an area of more than 1.2 million square kilometers and a population of more than 25 million people. It borders Libya, Mali, Algeria, Nigeria and Chad.

Niger is one of the most coup-prone countries in the world. Since independence from France, Niger has experienced four coups, as well as several failed ones. The most recent coup in Niger occurred in February 2010, when President Mamadou Tandja was overthrown. President Bazoum, 64, was elected in 2021 and is a close ally of France.

The country is also grappling with two Islamist militant campaigns, one in the southwest, which spilled over from neighboring Mali in 2015, and one in the southeast, involving Islamist militants from northeastern Nigeria.

Huyen Le (According to Reuters , AFP )

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