Niger: Military Officers Kick Out President Mohamed Bazoum In Coup

• Mohamed Bazoum's removal from power came hours after the head of state was held in the presidential palace
• In the recent past, two of Niger's neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups
• UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said he had spoken to the deposed president and offered the UN's full support

Niamey, Niger - A group of Nigerien soldiers appeared on the nation’s national television late Wednesday, announcing the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum from power.

Bazoum's removal from power came hours after the head of state was held in the presidential palace.

Soldiers in the West African country also said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions, and closed the nation's borders.

Mohamed Bazoum held by military officers

BBC reported that Bazoum had been held by troops from the presidential guard since Wednesday, July 26.

He was promised Washington's "unwavering support" in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"Spoke to Nigerien President Bazoum. I conveyed our support for the democratically elected President of Niger. The U.S. condemns efforts to subvert Niger’s constitutional order by force, and underscores that our partnership depends on the continuation of democratic governance," Blinken said in a statement posted on his official Twitter handle.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said in a statement that he had spoken to the president and offered the UN's full support.

"I condemn in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger. The @UN stands by the government and the people of Niger," Guterres said.

AU condemns Nigerien military forces

In a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemned the military actions terming them a betrayal of their republican duty.

Mahamat urged them to cease these "unacceptable actions immediately".

"The Chairperson further calls on the people of Niger all their brothers in Africa particularly in ECOWAS and around the world to join their voices in unanimous condemnation of this coup and for the immediate unconditional return of the felon soldiers to their barracks," he added.

While Bazoum is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa, two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups triggered by jihadist uprisings in recent years.

France factor in West African military coups

In both countries, the new military leaders have fallen out with France, the former colonial power which also formerly ruled Niger.

Earlier on Wednesday, July 26, crowds in Niamey took to the streets supporting Bazoum.

BBC further reported that the city was mostly peaceful, although soldiers behind the coup attempt fired shots to break up the protests.

Why Francis Ogolla apologised to William Ruto

In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported that President William Ruto recalled his last conversation with General Francis Ogolla moments before appointing him the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

During a roundtable interview, the president recounted his conversation with General Ogolla over his role in the Bomas events where senior government officials allegedly attempted to interfere with the 2022 presidential election results.

Ruto disclosed that General Ogolla apologised for his action saying he had no defence and that the president should make a decision he deems fit.