Niger Army spokesman, Colonel Amadou Adramane speaking on national television after President Mohamed Bazoum was held in the presidential palace. Photo: Reuters
By Our Reporter
Despite warnings and condemnation from the African Union Commission (AUC) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Coup plotters in Niger Republic have announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum via the national television.
Niger Army spokesman, Colonel Amadou Adramane announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum after he was held in the presidential palace.
Late on Wednesday, a group of soldiers appeared on national television in the West African country considered one of the world’s most unstable nations to announce a change in regime just hours after it was reported that President Bazoum had been detained.
Reading from a prepared text, Army spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues, said the 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”.
According to Abdramane, the country’s borders have been closed and all institutions of the Republic suspended, with a national curfew now in place to guard against any breakdown of law and order.
Similarly, the soldiers warned against any foreign intervention, even as reports emerged that the apparent coup was being led by the head of a regional political and security group.
The soldiers, including members of the presidential guard of Bazoum, were earlier said to be engaged in negotiations with the President, described as “safe and well” although his location still remained unclear.
The move by the elite guard force was quickly challenged by the wider army and national guard, who threatened to attack the presidential force unless they stepped down.
