Niger soldiers have announced on national television the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from power. A group of soldiers who appeared on the West African nation's national television late on Wednesday made the announcement, hours after the president was held in the presidential palace, news agency Reuters reported.
Reading from a statement, Colonel Amadou Abdramane said defence and security forces had decided: "Put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance."
As the situation unfolded, The White House said, as reported by the Guardian, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, had spoken to the captive Bazoum and “conveyed the unwavering support of the United States … the strong US economic and security partnership with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights."
Blinken, visiting New Zealand, said: “I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning, and made clear that the US resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger. We call for his immediate release.”
The soldiers have also warned against any foreign intervention, while assuring the well-being of the President.