Mutinous soldiers in Niger claimed to have ousted the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, citing the deteriorating security situation in the country. The soldiers announced the overthrow on state television, stating that all institutions were suspended, and security forces were in control. They urged external partners not to interfere.

The president had been detained by members of Niger’s presidential guard, and it remained unclear whether the mutiny had widespread support within the military. The group behind the coup called themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country and imposed a curfew while closing aerial and land borders.

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) labeled the events as an attempt to unseat Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power. The international community strongly condemned the attempted seizure of power.