2023-07-27 18:29:31
In Niger, the soldiers who initiated the coup against the President of the Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, were joined by other components of the army. They warn against any foreign military intervention.
While the situation remained confused all day Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Niamey, the military coup against President Mohamed Bazoum is now consummated this Thursday. A group of soldiers, belonging to the Presidential Guard, had first made a statement on national television late at night. “We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know (…). We reaffirm our attachment to the respect of all the commitments entered into by Niger. We reassure the national and international community regarding respect for the physical and moral integrity of the deposed authorities in accordance with the principles of human rights”explained a certain Colonel Ahmadou Abdramane.
The soldiers who say they have taken power “following the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance”, suspended the Constitution, instituted a curfew and closed the country’s borders.
The Chief of the Defense Staff joins the putschists
On the morning of this Thursday, this group of soldiers who still held the ousted president in his residence, was joined by several other components of the army. The Chief of Staff of the Armies notably signed a press release in which he indicates that the army joined the mutineers in their approach.
“The military command of the Nigerien armed forces, composed of the chief of staff of the armies and the chiefs of staff of the armies, following a meeting held on July 26, and motivated, by a part, out of a concern to preserve the physical integrity of the President of the Republic and his family, to avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces […] has decided to subscribe to the declaration of the Defense and Security Forces”can we read in the press release signed by General Abdou Sidikou Issa.
In addition, the press release specifies “any external military intervention, from whatever source, would risk having disastrous and uncontrollable consequences for our populations and chaos for our country”. Ultimately, neither the mediation attempted by the Beninese President Patrice Talon nor the condemnations of several local and sub-regional organizations will therefore have finally prevented the soldiers from going to the end of the putsch. Mohamed Bazoum came to power in 2021. The July 26 coup will have shortened his presidential term, which should end in 2026.
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