President Mohamed Bazoum is recognized as a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa, according to the BBC. However, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane and nine others stated that the defense and security forces have decided to bring an end to Bazoum's regime. The coup leaders cited the continuous deterioration of the security situation and criticized the poor economic and social governance under the previous administration.
During the televised announcement, Colonel Maj Amadou Abdramane declared the suspension of all of the country's institutions. He stated that the heads of the ministries would be responsible for managing day-to-day affairs. Furthermore, he warned all external partners not to interfere and announced the closure of land and air borders until the situation stabilizes.
In response to the coup, a night curfew has been implemented from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice, in an effort to maintain order and security.
Niger shares borders with countries that have experienced coups triggered by jihadist uprisings in recent years, such as Mali and Burkina Faso. In those cases, the new military leaders had fallen out with France, the former colonial power that also previously ruled Niger.
The coup in Niger has garnered condemnation from several international bodies. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the United States, and the United Nations have all voiced their disapproval of the military takeover.
The situation in Niger will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the country and the broader West African region. As events unfold, the international community will closely monitor developments and assess the impact on regional stability and security.
