The Nigerian military has officially taken over power following a rebellion by the Presidential Guard on Wednesday.
The Presidential Guard had surrounded the President’s residence early Wednesday morning in what seemed to be the beginning of a coup d’état before a televised announcement by troops led by Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane later in the evening officially declared that the President was deposed.
The military confirmed the suspension of work in all institutions in the country, stating that the secretaries general of the ministries will be responsible for conducting the day-to-day business, in addition to calling on other countries not to interfere. Furthermore, the military statement declared land and air borders are closed and a night curfew would take effect until further notice.
From their side, the Libyan President of the Presidential Council Mohamed Menfi, and Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah expressed their concern regarding the military movement in Niger Wednesday evening. Menfi called on the military to return to their barracks and called on the Economic Community of West African States to do what is necessary to secure the safety of President Muhammad Bazoum, his family, and the safety of the prime minister and government members. Menfi added that the charter of the African Union rejects such interventions that aim to overthrow the legitimate authority considering the military operation in Niger illegitimate. PM Dbeibah affirmed adherence to the principles of the African Union rejecting unconstitutional changes in governments, and supporting the call for the return of stability and restoration of Nigerien democratic institutions.
President Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown on Wednesday, was elected as President in February 2021, making him the country’s first President from the Diffa Arab minority in Niger, as he comes from a family that has ties of kinship with tribes in southwest Libya.
