NIAMEY (HRNW) – Presidential guards were holding Niger President Mohamed Bazoum inside his palace in the capital Niamey on Wednesday, security sources said, but the presidency said the guards had started an “anti-republican” movement “in vain” and that Bazoum was well.
West Africa’s main regional and economic bloc ECOWAS said it was concerned about an attempted coup and called on the plotters to free Bazoum. The African Union called on the “treasonous” soldiers involved to stop immediately.
The national army was ready to attack the guards if they did not come to their senses, the presidency said in a statement.
The statement followed reports that presidential guards had cut access to the palace and blocked Bazoum inside, raising concern West Africa’s sixth coup since 2020 could be underway.
“The President of the Republic and his family are well,” the presidency said on its social media pages without providing further details.