Soldiers claim to have overthrown Niger's government following an apparent coup in the West African nation on Wednesday when members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
Members of the elite guard sealed off access to the president's residence and offices in the capital Niamey, and after talks broke down, "refused to release" him, a presidential source said.
Regional and global leaders have called for the release of Bazoum, who entered office two years ago in Niger's first peaceful transition of power since independence from France in 1960. "The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition," the presidency said.Hours after his detention, Bazoum's supporters had tried to approach the official complex, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.
The European Union said it "associates itself" with the ECOWAS statement and attacked "any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability" of Niger. Tinubu said President Talon would mediate with both the Presidential Guard and Bazoum, with a view to finding an agreement.The landlocked Sahel state has experienced four coups since its 1960 independence, and numerous other attempts.
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