Niger, a West African country, is currently facing a tense political situation. Recent reports indicate an attempted coup d’état, with soldiers from the presidential guard holding President Mohamed Bazoum at his palace in Niamey, the capital of the country.
The presidential guard, led by General Oumar Tchaini since 2011, is at the center of the concerns. The access to the Nigerien presidency has been blocked by members of this guard, for a reason that has not been specified. “Early on Wednesday morning, the surroundings of the Nigerien presidency were blocked by elements of the presidential guard. While some sources mention a ‘mood movement,’ others do not hesitate to talk about an ‘attempted coup d’état’ against Mohamed Bazoum,” Jeune Afrique reported.
According to a source contacted by BENIN WEB TV, the national television and radio of Niger are not under military control. The same source also added that the situation is gradually coming under control. Close associates of President Mohamed Bazoum assure that the head of state and his wife are safe and currently at the presidential residence.
Tense political situation This situation has raised numerous questions and concerns, both nationally and internationally. In the sub-region, Niger remains one of the last Sahelian states led by a civilian. Like his former counterparts, Malian Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and Burkinabé Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, who were respectively overthrown on August 18, 2020, and January 24, 2022, Mohamed Bazoum is facing an extremely volatile security situation.
Niger is no stranger to coup attempts. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has experienced no less than four coups d’état, the first of which took place in April 1974. This tumultuous history of power changes through force has marked the political evolution of Niger.
This new attempted coup comes at a difficult time for the country. Niger is facing a severe food crisis, exacerbated by the lack of rainfall and attacks by suspected jihadists. Recently, twelve farmers were killed in their fields by armed men, illustrating the gravity of the security situation.
General Oumar Tchaini, a repeat offender? In a first statement since the beginning of the events on Wednesday, the Nigerien presidency has addressed the elements of the presidential guard involved in the coup attempt. “The President of the Republic and his family are doing well,” declared the Nigerien presidency: “The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack the elements of the presidential guard involved in this mood movement if they do not return to better sentiments,” it insisted.
And at the head of the mutineers is General Oumar Tchaini, a respected senior officer of the Nigerien army, who had been identified as one of the main actors in the coup d’état that shook Niger on March 31, 2021. General Tchaini, who has held several command posts within the Nigerien army, was arrested and imprisoned following the coup’s failure. He was accused of plotting against the security of the state, a charge he has always denied.
His arrest sparked reactions in Niger and abroad, highlighting the political and military tensions that persist in the country. Despite his alleged involvement in the coup d’état, General Tchaini remains a respected figure within the Nigerien army. His competent and dedicated leadership has been praised by his peers throughout his military career.
In the latest news, President Bazoum Mohamed is still safe according to his close associates, and remains firm in his decision not to sign the resignation document that was submitted to him.
Rhetoric from African organizations The international community is watching with concern the evolution of the situation in Niger. The stability of the country is crucial not only for the safety of its citizens but also for the stability of the Sahel region, which is already facing numerous security and humanitarian challenges.
Informed of the intentions of some soldiers to jeopardize the stability of democratic and republican institutions, which amounts to an attempted coup d’état in Niger, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemned such actions by soldiers “acting in total betrayal of their republican duty.”
“He urgently calls on them to immediately cease such an unacceptable enterprise,” the AU statement added.
Earlier, ECOWAS issued a statement in which it also condemned the attempted coup d’état in Niger and called for calm and restraint.
