Niger Coup: What we know so far

Niger Army General Abdourahmane Tchiani who declared himself leader. [Via VOA]

It probably isn't the first time you are coming across Niger in the news this and last week, owing to the ongoing coup.

As of Thursday, August 3, a military junta has taken over power in the West-African nation and is holding democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger, the largest landlocked country located in the Sahel region of Africa, is celebrating its independence today, August 3.

The country has been making headlines globally due to the insecurities and unrest it is currently experiencing.

Other countries including Italy and France have already evacuated their nationals from the country, with the United States ordering an evacuation of their embassy.

President Bazoum detained

The turmoil began escalating last week on July 26 when the Niger army staged a coup by detaining President Mohamed Bazoum at his official residence.

A few hours after the detention, Niger army spokesperson Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane announced on national television that they were taking over the government.

"The defense and security forces ... have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with," he said.

All borders were closed and a nationwide curfew was imposed while all institutions in the country were suspended.

Bazoum took to his Twitter account on July 27 saying he has high hopes for restoring the democratic governance under him.

"The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it," he tweeted.

Contrary to what the president had hoped, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, head of the presidential guard, declared himself leader of the transitional government on July 28.

However, this did not calm the situation as on Sunday, protesters gathered in the premises of the French embassy chanting "Long live Russia", "Long live Putin", and "Down with France" and later set the walls on fire.

Mass Evacuations and Sanctions

Following this move, several countries feared for the lives of their citizens and began a mass evacuation.

International organizations did not support the coup and issued a one-week order to release the president.

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the release of Bazoum within a week or resort to more stringent measures to reinstate the order.

The body was seconded by the African Union (AU) who issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta.

Currently, the majority of cities in Niger are experiencing blackouts after Nigeria cut electricity supply to the country, a move suspected to be part of ECOWAS sanctions.

However, other neighboring countries, Burkina Faso and Mali are not in support of these sanctions.

The two countries have released a joint statement saying that any military intervention from international bodies will declare war against their nations.

The current state of Niger adds to the list of past four coups experienced in the years 1974, 1996, 1999, and 2010.