The regime of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by the military on July 26, as soldiers announced in Niamey in a statement on national television, on behalf of a National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the removal of President Bazoum.
Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, accompanied by nine other uniformed soldiers, declared that the defense and security forces (FDS) united within the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), have decided to put an end to the regime of President Bazoum.
The Nigerian Colonel noted that this decision follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation and poor economic and social governance, announcing the suspension of all institutions.
In a similar context, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane affirmed that the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) respects all Niger’s commitments, reassuring the national and international community that the physical and moral integrity of the deposed authorities will be respected per the principles of human rights.
“All the institutions of the Seventh Republic have been suspended, the secretaries-general of the ministries will take care of day-to-day business, and the defense and security forces will manage the situation,” explained the statement, adding that “all external partners shall not interfere.
This turn of events in Niger has stirred up reactions from several international officials and institutions, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, “condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace, and stability in Niger.”
For his part, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, stated, in a tweet, that the US “condemns efforts to subvert Niger’s constitutional order by force,” noting that partnership between the US and Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance in the country.
In a similar context, the African Union (AU), chaired by His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, “strongly condemns such actions by members of the military acting in total betrayal of their republican duty.”
AU’s Chairperson also called on Nigeriens, brotherly African countries, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the international community to unanimously condemn the Nigerien coup attempt, urging the soldiers “to immediately cease these unacceptable actions.”
