In 2011, after two decades climbing the ranks of Niger's army, Abdourahamane Tiani was handed one of the military's most prized appointments: the head of an elite unit set up to protect the president.
Last week, Tiani, a general, used his position and manpower to do the opposite. He imprisoned President Mohamed Bazoum in the presidential palace and appeared on state television on Friday to declare himself head of state, confirming the seventh military coup in West and Central Africa in three years.
“We cannot continue with the same approaches proposed so far, as it risks witnessing the gradual and inevitable disappearance of our nation,” he said. He attended local schools before joining the army in 1985 where he was posted across the country, including the northern town of Agadez during a Tuareg uprising in the 1990s, according to a biography released by the new ruling military council.
He served as a commander and observer abroad for regional and UN forces during conflicts in Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, and has been decorated with some of the country's highest military honours.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
EXPLAINER | Who is the Niger general who ousted a president he was meant to protect?EXPLAINER | Who is the Niger general who ousted a president he was meant to protect?: In 2011, after two decades climbing the ranks of Niger's army, Abdourahamane Tiani was handed one of the military's most prized appointments: the head of an elite unit…
Read more »
Niger: Military Intervention in Niger 'A Declaration of War' - Mali, Burkina Faso Govts WarnThe military administrations of Burkina Faso and Mali issued warnings that any military action against the leaders of last week's illegal detention of the Niger president will be viewed as a "declaration of war" against their countries, Al Jazeera reports.
Read more »
Niger junta says France plotting to 'intervene militarily'Niger's new junta on Monday accused France of seeking to 'intervene militarily' to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum as tension mounted with the country's former colonial power and neighbours.
Read more »
Niger - BBC NewsTwo more ministers and an official from Niger's ousted govt have been detained by the junta. Five ministers are now being held with over 100 party activists. In a photo released overnight, the president was seen for the first time since being detained.
Read more »
BBC World Service - Focus on Africa, ECOWAS threatens action over Niger coupWest African regional body ECOWAS has threatened a military response to the coup in Niger, if deposed president Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within a week. More on the latest edition of Focus on Africa 🎧 🔉
Read more »
Niger junta arrests senior politicians after coup, IMF monitors eventsThe junta that seized power in Niger last week detained three more senior politicians from the ousted government on Monday, their party said, in defiance of international calls to restore democratic rule.
Read more »