The military in Niger has admitted to overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum and taking control of the country, and Bazoum has spoken out about it.
We previously reported that the military detained Bazoum on Wednesday and then announced the coup via a television broadcast early on Thursday.
Over the airwaves, ten military officers confronted President Bazoum, telling him that they had taken over the government to end the administration because of the “deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”
The declaration included the suspension of all government institutions and the closure of all borders, as well as the dissolution of the constitution.
On Thursday, Bazoum posted to his Twitter account a pledge to defend the “hard-won” democratic victories of the past several years. According to a tweet posted by Niger’s president in French, which reads as follows: “The hard-won gains will be maintained. All of Nigeria’s democrats will make sure of it.
Hassoumi Mashesoudou, the foreign minister, also made a call to arms on X (previously Twitter) for “all democrats and patriots” to ensure the coup failed.
Hassoumi Massoudou, foreign minister for President Bazoum of Niger, said in an interview with FRENCH 24 that Bazoum is in good health and that the elected administration is the legitimate authority in the country.
