The United States has pledged its support for Niger President Mohamed Bazoum as soldiers yesterday claimed to have toppled his government.
It followed Bazoum’s detention by members of the presidential guard at his official residence since Wednesday morning.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, on Wednesday, spoke with the President.
Blinken, according to a statement, conveyed the unwavering support of the United States for the Nigerien President and the country’s democracy.
Blinken emphasised that the United States stands with the Nigerien people and regional and international partners in condemning the effort to seize power by force and overturn the constitutional order.
“Secretary Blinken underscored that the strong U.S. economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights,” the statement added.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday, through its chairman, Authority of Heads of States and Governments, President Bola Ahmed TInubu, warned that it would not tolerate ant-democratic forces in Niamey.
The United Nation (UN), the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU) and other international organization have decried the action of the coupists, warning of dear consequences.
The military usurpers prevented Benin President Patrice Talon, the ECOWAS mediation envoy from entry the country.
This came as a statement broadcast on Nigerien national television yesterday by Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for a group calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the country, said that “the defence and security forces …have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with”.
“This follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management,” he added.
The soldier said the country’s borders have been closed, and a nationwide curfew was in place. All institutions of the country were also suspended, Abdramane added. He was seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues as he read out his statement.
The mutineers accused France yesterday of landing a military plane in defiance of their orders to close the country’s borders.
“The French partner bypassed (the decision) on closing land and air borders in order to land an A401-type military aircraft at Niamey international airport this morning at 6:30 a.m.,” Abdramane said in the statement, demanding “once and for all that measures (taken by the coup plotters) be strictly upheld.”
Earlier, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union both earlier decried what they called an “attempted coup d’etat”.
The United Nations and the United States also called for Bazoum’s release.
The President of neighbouring Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, who was expected to head to Niamey for mediation efforts, has abandoned the trip after the coupists closed the border.
The head of ECOWAS and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had said Talon would mediate with both the Presidential Guard and Bazoum with a view to finding an agreement.
Supporters of the coup yesterday attacked the headquarters of the ousted president’s party, setting it on fire, stoning and burning cars outside.
The small group of arsonists broken away from a larger show of support for the coup leaders outside parliament, where Russian flags were on show.
The hundreds, who gathered outside the National Assembly, had some Russian flags, while others held up hand-written signs saying: “Down with France” and “Foreign bases out”.
Police later fired tear gas to disperse those who had gone to the headquarters of the ruling party, where party activists ran away when they saw the protesters coming.
Some people were injured in the fracas and the burnt-out carcasses of vehicles now surround the PNDS Tarraya party building.
The coup supporters accuse the party of corruption and not doing enough to improve the security situation and end the long-running jihadist insurgency.
The army has now given its backing to the troops to the defence and security forces that overthrew the President despite his defiant stance and global condemnation of the coup.
Niger’s Foreign Minister, Hassoumi Massoudou also called on the country’s soldiers to release President Bazoum and settle their demands through dialogue.
Massoudou told French news channel France 24 that “we are the legal and legitimate authorities in Niger,” adding that he has spoken to Bazoum and said the president was well.
His comments came a day after the army suspended all institutions and closed all borders in Niger.
Russia joined other countries and the United Nations in calling for Bazoum’s release. The 64-year-old, who was elected as Niger’s president two years ago, is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in West Africa.
The United States and France, the former colonial power, both have military bases in the uranium-rich country – and have condemned the coup.
Bazoum took to Twitter on Thursday morning to issue a defiant statement: “The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it.”
But in the capital, Niamey, shops and markets opened for business.
Two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups triggered by Islamist uprisings in recent years.
In both countries, the new military leaders have moved closer to Russia after falling out with France.
“I hope they will install good security in the city and help us to achieve better conditions because we have good resources. I don’t care if they just want to follow Burkina Faso or Mali,” Djibo, a supporter of the coup, told the BBC.
