Timeline: What has happened in Niger since the coup?
Following the July 26 coup, ECOWAS has been demanding the reinstatement of President Bazoum, who is under house arrest.
Published On 20 Aug 202320 Aug 2023
Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum was elected two years ago in the first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960.
But on July 26, members of his own presidential guard removed him from office, in the third coup in as many years to topple a leader in the Sahel region. The coup leaders say they want to prevent further economic and security problems.
Here are the key events that have happened since the coup:
Wednesday, July 26
- Mutinous soldiers detained President Mohamed Bazoum at his official residence in the capital Niamey. They announced they seized power in a coup because of the West African country’s deteriorating security situation.
- In a statement broadcast on national television, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said, “The defence and security forces … have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with … This follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management.”
- The coup leaders announced that the country’s borders were closed.
Thursday, July 27
- A statement posted by the Nigerien army command’s account declared it would back the coup to avoid a “murderous confrontation” that could lead to a “bloodbath”.
- General Abdourahmane “Omar” Tchiani, commander of the presidential guards, appointed himself head of the country’s new military government.
- Unrest broke out as hundreds of supporters of the coup ransacked and set fire to the headquarters of the governing party in Niamey.
- In a Telegram voice message, Wagner Group mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared to hail the military coup and offered his fighters’ services to bring order.
- Meanwhile, Bazoum defiantly declared that democracy would prevail in the country.
Saturday, July 29
