Mutinous soldiers claimed to have overthrown Niger’s democratically elected president, announcing on state television yesterday [Macau time] that they have put an end to the government over the African country’s deteriorating security.
The soldiers said all institutions had been suspended and security forces were managing the situation. The mutineers urged external partners not to interfere.
The announcement came after a day of uncertainty as members of Niger’s presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace and detained President Mohamed Bazoum. There was no immediate indication of whether the mutiny was supported by other parts of the military.
“This is as a result of the continuing degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance,” air force Col. Major Amadou Abdramane said on the video. Seated at a table in front of nine other officers, he said aerial and land borders were closed and a curfew was imposed until the situation stabilized.
The group, which is calling itself National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, said it remained committed to its engagements with the international and national community.
