2023 Nigerien coup d'état facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2023 Nigerien coup d'état |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Government of Niger |
National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland Presidential Guard |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Mohamed Bazoum Hassoumi Massoudou |
Amadou Abdramane Omar Tchiani |
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On 26 July 2023, soldiers from Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, while another group of soldiers announced his overthrow, closed the country's borders, suspended state institutions and declared a curfew while announcing the formation of a junta. Entrances to government ministries were also blocked by the presidential guard.
Contents
Background
Since independence from France in 1960, Niger has had four military coups, the last being in 2010, and several attempted ones. The most recent of these was in 2021 when military dissidents tried to seize the presidential palace two days before the inauguration of then president-elect Bazoum, who was the country's first president to assume office from a democratically elected predecessor. The coup also comes in the wake of similar events in neighboring countries such as Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020, which has led to the region being called a "coup belt".
Analysts said the rising cost of living and perceptions of government incompetence and corruption may have driven the revolt. The country frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index and has also suffered from Islamist insurgencies led by Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Boko Haram, despite its military receiving training and logistical support from the United States and France, which have bases there.
In 2022, the country became the hub of France's anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel region following its expulsion from Mali and Burkina Faso, with Bazoum being described as one of the few remaining pro-Western leaders in the region. With multiple coups and rising anti-French sentiments in the region, Niger became France's partner of last resort. American-trained officers were also reported to have trained many members of the presidential guard.
Events
Early on 26 July, the Nigerien Presidency announced on Twitter that presidential guards, commanded by General Omar Tchiani engaged in an “anti-Republican demonstration” and tried “in vain” to obtain the support of the other security forces. It also said that President Mohamed Bazoum and his family were well after reports emerged that he was being held in the presidential palace in the capital Niamey. Interior Minister Hamadou Souley was also arrested and held in the palace, while roughly twenty members of the Presidential Guard were spotted outside later in the day. The coup was said to be led by the head of a regional political and security group.
In the morning, the palace and adjacent ministries were blocked off by military vehicles and palace staff were prevented from accessing their offices. Up to 400 civilian supporters of Bazoum tried to approach the palace, but were dispersed by the Presidential Guard with gunfire, leaving one injured. Elsewhere in Niamey, the situation was described as calm. The Presidency also claimed that protests in support of Bazoum had occurred around the country's overseas diplomatic missions.
In response to these events, Niger's armed forces surrounded the palace in support of Bazoum. The army also issued a statement saying they had secured "major strategic points" in the country. The Presidency stated that the army and the National Guard were ready to attack the presidential guard. The BBC also reported that loyalist forces had surrounded the state broadcaster ORTN. The US embassy warned against travel along Niamey’s Boulevard de la Republique, where the Presidential Palace was located.
In the evening however, Air Force Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane went on state television channel Télé Sahel to claim that President Bazoum had been removed from power and announced the formation of a National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland. Seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues, he said the defence and security forces had decided to topple the regime "due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance." He also announced the dissolution of the country's constitution, the suspension of state institutions, the closure of the country's borders and a nationwide curfew from 22:00 until 05:00 local time until further notice, while warning against any foreign intervention.
On the morning of 27 July, Bazoum tweeted that Nigeriens who love democracy would see to it that "hard-won gains will be safeguarded". His Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou told France 24 that the country's "legal and legitimate power" remained with the president and reiterated that Bazoum was in good condition and that the entire army was not involved. He then declared himself acting head of state and called on all democrats to "make this adventure fail".
On 28 July General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself as the president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland in an address on Télé Sahel. He said the coup was undertaken to avoid "the gradual and inevitable demise" of the country, and said that Bazoum had tried to hide "the harsh reality" of the country. He also criticized the government's security strategy for its purported ineffectiveness and lack of collaboration with Mali and Burkina Faso but did not give a timeline for a return to civilian rule. His position as de facto concurrent head of state was later confirmed by Colonel Abdramane, who accused officials of Bazoum's government of plotting against the new regime while sheltering in foreign embassies and warned of bloodshed if they pushed through.
The African Union Peace and Security Council issued an ultimatum that if the soldiers did not "immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional democracy, within a maximum of fifteen days" that the bloc would be compelled to take "necessary action, including punitive measures against perpetrators".
On 30 July ECOWAS issued the Nigerien military junta with an ultimatum that Bazoum be reinstated as president within one week. In a communiqué read by ECOWAS Commission chairperson, Omar Touray, at the Extraordinary Summit convened in Abuja in response to the coup, they said that if their demands were not met they would "take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger" and that " such measures may include the use of force".
Reactions
ECOWAS tried to negotiate with the putschists but failed. Bazoum's predecessor as president, Mahamadou Issoufou, as well as other former leaders were also said to have been involved in the negotiations.
On the same day, ECOWAS leaders said they would immediately enforce a no-fly zone over the country for all commercial flights, and a closure of borders with Niger. A series of sanctions was also announced, including the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger and the freezing of assets and travel restrictions for military personnel involved in the coup.
The coup was condemned by the World Bank, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, France and the United States, which called for Bazoum's immediate release.
The United States formally referred to the takeover as "an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution", stopping short of describing it as a coup, as doing so would entail a withdrawal of economic aid and military assistance, including existing drone and military bases, to the nation. The EU and France withheld financial and development aid to Niger and suspended all security cooperation agreements with the country. France stated that it continued to recognized Bazoum as the "sole president" of Niger, with ECOWAS also stating that it recognized Bazoum as the "legitimate and legal President of Niger".
Human Rights Watch called on the Nigerien military to provide a clear timeline for a return to civilian rule and uphold citizens' rights to democratic elections. The AU also demanded that the military to return to barracks in 15 days and restore civilian rule following a meeting of its Peace and Security Council.
The UN announced that it had suspended its humanitarian operations in the country, but later clarified that it was still delivering aid to Niger, but was not in contact with the military.
After protesters tried to enter the French embassy in some pro-coup demonstrations on 30 July, the Government of France warned that "Should anyone attack French nationals, the army, diplomats and French interests, they will see France respond in an immediate and intractable manner" and that President Macron "will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests".
See also
In Spanish: Golpe de Estado en Níger de 2023 para niños
