Niger soldiers close borders, impose curfew after overthrowing President Bazoum

The Niger Army on Wednesday declared the overthrowing of President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup, directed that all border be closed, all institutions in the country be suspended and imposed curfew from 10.00 pm to 5.00am till further notice.

The Niger military had during the mutiny issued ultimatum to the Presidential Guard to detain President Bazoum and block all access to the Presidential Palace, an order that was religiously complied.

The coup leader, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, had in a televised broadcast on Wednesday night declared: “We, the defence and security forces… have decided to put an end to the regime” of President Bazoum,

“This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance.”

Colonel-Major Abdramane, surrounded by nine soldiers, further declared that “all institutions” in the country should be suspended, borders closed and a curfew imposed “until further notice” from 10.00pm to 5.00am.

The President’s Office had earlier on Wednesday in a Twitter message, relayed that “elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper… (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard.

“The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition.

“The president and his family are well.”