The United States joined African leaders Wednesday in calling for the release of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held inside the country’s presidential palace by members of his presidential guard.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan released a statement that said the United States is deeply concerned about developments in Niger. “We strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger’s democratically elected government, led by President Bazoum,” Sullivan said. “We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence.”
The West African bloc ECOWAS also condemned the events in Niger and called on what it described as coup plotters to free the president “immediately and without any condition.”
The statement from ECOWAS, known formally as the Economic Community of West African States, vowed to hold those involved in the plot responsible for the safety of the president, his family, members of the government and the general public.
Others condemning the apparent coup attempt included the chairman of the African Union commission, Faki Mahamat, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and former colonial power France, which has about 1,500 soldiers in Niger helping the government battle Islamist militants.
Niamey remained calm as the situation unfolded Wednesday, though the U.S. Embassy has advised people in the city to limit unnecessary movements and avoid travel along the Rue de la Republique where the palace is located.
Local journalist Ousseini Issa told VOA’s French to Africa service the situation in Niamey is “confusing.”
“At first, the presidency was out of reach, including for agents who work there,” he said. “Then we got the news that soldiers based in Ouallam, about 100 kilometers from Niamey ... have come to Niamey. The whole presidential area is cordoned off, all services are closed.”
Niger’s presidential administration said elements of the presidential guard launched what it called an anti-republican movement on Wednesday morning and “tried in vain to obtain the support of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard.”
The statement said Niger’s Army and National Guard are ready to attack presidential guard members involved in the incident if they do not come to their senses.
The statement said President Bazoum and his family are doing well.
The West African state is one of the region’s most unstable, experiencing four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, and a number of unsuccessful attempted coups.
Elements of the military launched a failed coup d’etat two days before Bazmoum’s inauguration in April 2021.
The government is also fighting an insurgency from Islamist militants.
Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
