Niger's military coup widely condemned following overthrow of President Bazoum

The United Nations, African Union and Western governments have strongly condemned Niger’s military for removing President Mohamed Bazoum from power – and the overthrow of his government – in an apparent coup.

A general view of billowing smoke as supporters of the Nigerien defence and security forces attack the headquarters of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), the party of overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, in Niamey on July 27, 2023. © AFP

UPDATE 12h30 CET

The head of Niger's armed forces has endorsed a declaration by troops who announced they had taken power after detaining the country's elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

In a statement signed this Thursday by armed forces chief General Abdou Sidikou Issa, "The military command of the Nigerien armed forces... has decided to subscribe to the declaration by the defence and security forces... in order to avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces. 

🛑🛑🛑#COMMUNIQUE de l’Etat-Major des Armées. pic.twitter.com/X2nPIeq4ds

— Forces Armées Nigériennes (@ArmeesNiger) July 27, 2023

Meanwhile, the United Nations has called for President Bazoum to be released "immediately."

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement: "I am shocked and distressed by the attempted military takeover in Niger and condemn it in the strongest terms. All efforts must be undertaken to restore constitutional order and the rule of law.

"President Mohamed Bazoum must be immediately and unconditionally released, and his security ensured. The arbitrarily detained members of his government and their relatives must also be released forthwith, and without preconditions.

"I urge all actors to refrain from violence and respect the rights and fundamental freedoms of all. It is in the interests of all the people of Niger that the important democratic gains made in recent years are safeguarded and preserved."

The European Union, United States and African Union have also condemned the overthrow of Niger's president. 

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission @AUC_MoussaFaki condemns the coup attempt in #Niger.https://t.co/bWYHc36OgU pic.twitter.com/kqtrX0xqWm

— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) July 26, 2023

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In a televised address late Wednesday, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said defence and security forces had decided to “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance”.

Surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers, Abdramane said Niger's borders are closed, all institutions in the country are suspended, and a 10pm to 5am curfew is imposed on the entire country, until further notice.

He spoke hours after presidential guards, lead by by General Omar Tchiani, took over the presidency.

Regional leaders organised a mediation mission to prevent a coup, but the president was not released after talks broke down.

Bazoum became Niger’s first president to take power in a democratic transition in the country, a former French colony that has gone through four military coups since independence in 1960.

🇳🇪 #CoupdEtat au #Niger revendiqué par des militaires au nom d'un Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie (CNSP).
►Ils ont affirmé, mercredi 26 juillet en fin de soirée, avoir renversé le régime du président nigérien Mohamed #Bazoum. #RFImatin 👇 (images ©Reuters) pic.twitter.com/rPT6HOs7lk

— RFI (@RFI) July 27, 2023

France condemns coup attempt

France joined other Western and regional leaders in condemning the attempted coup, saying it condemned any attempt to seize power through violence in Niger.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre said Paris was watching the situation carefully, but "condemned attempts to take power by force."

France, she said, joined African Union calls to restore the integrity of democratic institutions.

Niger has become a key ally for Western powers in the fight against jihadist insurgencies and in keeping in check irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa, but has faced growing pressure from the new juntas in charge of neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.

France has decided in recent months to move troops to Niger to launch anti-jihadist operations after it completed the withdrawal of thousands of troops from Mali.

About 1,000 to 1,500 French soldiers are based in Niamey,.

An updated travel advisory from the French ministry said the 1,200 citizens in the country should be vigilant and limit their movements.

(with newswires)