Attempted Coup in Niger Republic: Soldiers Block Road to Presidential Palace

 

As of the current events provided in the news summary, it appears that there was an attempted coup against Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum by some members of the presidential guard. The situation occurred in Niamey, the capital of Niger, where the guards engaged in an "anti-Republican demonstration" and attempted to gain support from other security forces.

The presidency's official Twitter account confirmed the attempted coup and stated that the army was prepared to take action against the presidential guards if they did not back down. The military vehicles blocked off the presidential palace and nearby ministries. However, the situation seemed to be relatively calm elsewhere in Niamey.

Bazoum and his family were reported to be safe despite initial reports that the guards were holding him inside the presidential palace. The attempted coup is a concerning development, especially considering that Niger had experienced four military coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.

The situation garnered attention from regional leaders, with Bola Tinubu, the president of neighboring Nigeria and the new chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), expressing concern and asserting that ECOWAS would not accept any action that hinders the functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa. ECOWAS aims to ensure that democracy is upheld and nurtured in the region.

Niger plays a crucial role as a key ally to Western powers in the fight against rebel uprisings and conflicts in the Sahel region, which includes Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and other neighboring countries. The region has been grappling with insurgencies and security challenges, leading to previous military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso.

It's important to note that the situation is fluid, and further updates and developments may have occurred beyond the provided news summary.