(Photo: BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images) Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum meets with the French Foreign and Armies ministers during their official visit to Niamey on July 15, 2022. The French Foreign Minister and French Armies Minister began an official visit to Niger on July 15, 2022, Paris's key partner in the Sahel, at a time when France is seeking to redefine its military and diplomatic offer in Africa.

Niger's army has declared its allegiance to the defense and security forces that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

In a statement Thursday (July 27), the army's decision was necessary to avoid fighting within the armed forces.

What Happened So Far

The announcement followed Wednesday's (July 26) events, when members of the Presidential Guard detained Bazoum inside his palace in the capital Niamey, Al Jazeera reported.

Soon after, a statement broadcast on national television by the so-called National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country told the public it decided to "put an end" to Bazoum's "regime.

"This follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management," the group's spokesperson, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane added.

The coup plotters further stated the country's borders have been closed, a nationwide curfew was implemented, and all of the country's institutions have been suspended.

Read Also: Niger Soldiers Announce Seizure of President Mohamed Bazoum, Sparking Rumors of Coup

Global Response

In response, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated he spoke with Bazoum and offered his organization's full support.

Bazoum was considered a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also told reporters the Biden administration was "deeply concerned" about the recent developments in Niger.

"We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence," he added.

Sullivan also commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union to defend Niger's democracy as the country is a "critical partner" for the US.

The German foreign ministry was also closely monitoring the situation in Niger with "very great concern."

(Photo: ORTN - Télé Sahel/AFP via Getty Images) This video frame grab image obtained by AFP from ORTN - Télé Sahel on July 26, 2023, shows Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane (C), spokesperson for the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) speaking during a televised statement. Soldiers claimed on July 26, 2023, to have overthrown the government of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum in a statement read out on national television, after a day in which the leader was detained in his official residence. "We, the defense and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime" of President Bazoum, said Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers in the address. They said "all institutions" in the country would be suspended, borders were closed, and a curfew had been imposed "until further notice".

Bazoum Calls for Citizens to Denounce the Coup

Meanwhile, Bazoum called on the people of Niger to denounce the military coup, saying the "hard-won gains" of democracy would be safeguarded.

"All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom would want this," he added.

Nigerien foreign minister Hassoumi Massoudou additionally called on "all democrats and patriots" to thwart such "perilous advance," according to South African public broadcaster SABC.

This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.

Related Article: Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan On Developments in Niger