Coup underway in Niger Republic, soldiers detain President Mohamed Bazoum

Niger President, Mohamed Bazoum is being detained by members of the Presidential Guard, who have been given an “ultimatum” by the army, a source close to Bazoum said on Wednesday.

Disgruntled members of the guard sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices, and after talks broke down “refused to release the president,” the source said, adding: “The army has given them an ultimatum.”

Bazoum was democratically elected in 2021, taking the helm of one of Africa’s poorest and most coup-prone countries.

President Bola Tinubu has warned that the ECOWAS would not tolerate any attempt to unseat the democratic government in Niger Republic.

Speaking on Wednesday in a statement in his capacity as Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu said he was closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country.

He added that ECOWAS would do everything within its powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted in the region.

Tinubu said, “Information filtering in from the Republic of Niger indicates some unpleasant developments around the country’s highest political leadership.

“It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.

“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.”