Coup: Soldiers take over Niger Republic, dissolve constitution, shut borders

A group of soldiers led by Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane have through a coup sacked the administration of President Mohammed Bazoum in Niger Republic, and subsequently closed all West African borders.

Penpushing reports that the coupists in a statement broadcast on national television equally announced dissolution of the constitution of the country, which has become the sixth country in the West Africa subregion to experience a coup since August 2020.

The coupists it is recalled had earlier on Wednesday blocked the presidential palace, while the embattled President Mohammed Bazoum believed to be held inside the palace, and later leader of soldiers was quoted saying that the defence and security forces have decided to put an end to the regime the citizens are familiar with.

Penpushing further reports that as at the time of filing this report some citizens of the country who are against the coup have been protesting, while world leaders including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu have condemned the coup and noted that it will not be tolerated.

The United States of America(USA) France, United Nations(UN), Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) and African Union(AU) also condemned the coup calling for a return to status quo, and on Wednesday, Economic Community of West Africa States(ECOWAS), led by President Tinubu, sent the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, to Niger to mediate in the crisis.

Penpushing also reports that Talon had briefly met with Nigeria’s President in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory(FCT) before leaving for Niger, but as at the time of filing this report it was not clear if Talon had met the coup leaders or ousted President Mohammed Bazoum

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