Coup attempt feared in Niger after reports of president’s seizure

By Sarah Dean, Niamh Kennedy and Larry Madowo, CNN

(CNN) — Men in military fatigues claimed to have taken power in Niger hours after President Mohamed Bazoum was reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard on Wednesday, leading to protests in the capital.

In a video communique, a man identified as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane and flanked by several apparent soldiers, announced, “We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know,” citing a deteriorating security situation in the country and “poor economic and social governance.”

National institutions have been suspended and the country’s land borders are temporarily closed, he also said, appearing to read from a text on the table before him.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said earlier in the day that there had been an “attempt to seize power by force” in the West African country, in a statement on Wednesday.

“ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition,” the bloc added.

The situation prompted intense discussions between the country’s Presidential Guard and government authorities, a source close to the president told CNN. The source did not reveal what exactly was being discussed.

Niger’s presidential complex was sealed off Wednesday, with heavily armed members of the Presidential Guard assembling outside the Presidential Palace early that morning. Roughly twenty members of the Presidential Guard could be seen outside the palace complex later in the day.

A statement on the presidency’s social media channels said President Mohamed Bazoum is “doing well” and the army and national guard were “ready to attack the elements of the GP [Presidential Guard] involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses.” CNN cannot verify the statement.

CNN has reached out to the AFRICOM (United States Africa Command), US and French embassies in Niger.

The country’s interior minister, Hamadou Souley, was also arrested by the presidential guard on Wednesday morning local time and is being held in the presidential palace in the capital Niamey along with Bazoum.

Hundreds of protesters later gathered in the capital Niamey in support of Bazoum. Presidential guards to fired “warning shots” to block their advance when protesters were about 300 meters (984 feet) from the presidential palace, but CNN saw no injuries.

Up to 400 protesters were seen later on Wednesday, some holding photos of Bazoum and signs saying: “No to the destabilization of the republic’s institutions.”

Niger’s presidential office said in a tweet on Wednesday that “spontaneous protests by democracy advocates broke out all over the (capital) city of Niamey, (around) the country and in front of Niger’s embassies abroad after the announcement this morning that President (Mohamed) Bazoum is being held in his palace by his guard.”

‘Avoid all travel’

The presidential guards are holding Bazoum inside the palace, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning, Reuters and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Wednesday. Reuters cited security sources and AFP referenced sources close to Bazoum.

CNN has so far been unable to reach the country’s Ministry of Defence and Interior Ministry for comment.

A member of the National Guard guarding the building for both ministries told CNN that there are currently no officials inside.

The US Embassy in Niger said it had received reports of political instability within the capital Niamey.

“At this time the city is calm. We advise everyone to limit unnecessary movements, and avoid all travel along Rue de la Republique until further notice,” the embassy said.

Agency footage from the capital Niamey shows the rest of the city appearing calm.

Nigerian president Bola Tinubu – the current chair of ECOWAS – has also issued a statement condemning “unpleasant developments” in Niger.

Tinubu said they are “closely monitoring the situation and developments.”

“It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.

“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa,” the statement said.

Bazoum was elected in 2021. Attempts on power in the landlocked West African state are common. Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960.

Calls for ‘peace and stability’

The situation in Niger triggered widespread condemnation, with international leaders calling for peace amid the apparent unrest.

The United Nations “stands by the Government and the people of Niger,” a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

“The Secretary-General is following closely the situation in Niger. He condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger,” Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also criticized “any attempt to destabilize democracy and threaten the stability of Niger.”

France’s foreign ministry voiced concern and said it “is closely monitoring the development of the situation” in Niger.

And White House officials said they “strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger’s democratically elected government.”

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the partnership between Washington and the West African country is contingent on its “continued commitment to democratic standards.”

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CNN’s Omar Hama Saley in Niamey contributed reporting. CNN’s Caitlin Hu, Amy Cassidy, Eve Brennan, Dalal Mawad and Betsy Klein also contributed reporting.