As military coup plotters announced on Wednesday evening that they have taken power in Niamey, President Mohamed Bazoum spoke out for the first time on his Facebook page on Thursday, July 27, 2023. According to Mr. Bazoum, Nigeriens will ensure the preservation of democracy.
“The hard-fought gains will be safeguarded,” wrote the president on his Facebook page on Wednesday, July 26. According to the democratically elected leader, “All Nigeriens who cherish democracy and freedom will watch over it.” These statements suggest that President Mohamed Bazoum has not yet had the last word.
On Wednesday, tensions had already shaken the capital of Niger, with soldiers from the presidential guard negotiating with Mohammed Bazoum to try to find a solution, without revealing the nature of the talks. The ruling regime had then simply referred to this incident as a “mood swing.” The head of state has been held in his official residence since Wednesday morning.
Gathered under the name of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), a group of military coup plotters announced on national television on Wednesday evening the end of the era of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021. “We have decided to put an end to the regime as you know it,” declared Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, surrounded by nine other soldiers in uniform. This decision was prompted by the continuous deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social governance.
Finally, after announcing their takeover on television, the coup leaders expressed the CNSP’s “commitment” to “respect all commitments made by Niger.” The military also promised foreign partners to “respect the physical and moral integrity of the deposed authorities, in accordance with human rights principles.” The CNSP has implemented measures, including the closure of air and land borders “until the situation stabilizes” and the imposition of a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every evening.
