Niger's Army Command Declares Support for Coup by Presidential Guard Citing Stability A Priority

Niger's army command has declared its support for the coup carried out by soldiers of the presidential guard, emphasizing their priority to avoid destabilizing the country. In the capital Niamey, hundreds of coup supporters gathered in front of the National Assembly, playing pro-army music under an overcast sky left by heavy morning showers. Resentment towards former colonial power France and its influence in the Sahel region echoed among the crowd, highlighting a growing wave of dissatisfaction. The army, through its chief of staff, stated that it had decided to adhere to the soldiers' declaration made in a late-night televised address that they had stripped President Mohamed Bazoum of powe

Neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso have grown closer to Russia since their military takeovers in 2020 and 2022, respectively, distancing themselves from traditional Western allies. As foreign troop withdrawals followed souring relations with military governments, Niger's role in the region has become increasingly vital for Western powers in combating violent insurgency. France, for instance, moved troops from Mali to Niger last year. President Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou urged democratic forces in the country to resist the power grab. The attempted coup marked the seventh in West and Central Africa since 2020, raising concerns about regional stability.

The coup began when guards at the presidential palace in Niamey cut it off, effectively blocking the president inside. The televised statement was read on Wednesday night by a member of the air force named Colonel Amadou Abdramane, who also announced the suspension of all political parties' activities until further notice. In response, Bazoum vowed to protect "hard-won" democratic gains through a social media post on Thursday morning. The frustration over state failures to prevent attacks on towns and villages has partly led to two coups in Mali and two in Burkina Faso since 2020. The current situation has left uncertainty about who will take over from Bazoum, with the presidential guard headed by General Omar Tchiani, while Colonel Abdramane delivered the televised statement.

The African Union and West African regional bloc ECOWAS have condemned the attempted coup. Benin's President, Patrice Talon, flew into Niger on Wednesday afternoon to mediate after meeting with Nigerian President and ECOWAS Chairman Bola Tinubu. However, it remains unclear if talks were still ongoing. As Niger plays a crucial role in combating regional insurgency, international attention remains focused on the situation. The coup highlights the complexities of governance in the region, with historical ties and resentments intertwining with present-day challenges.

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