Niger Coup Update: Presidential Guard Chief Declares Himself Leader After Holding President Bazoum Hostage

(Photo : ORTN - Télé Sahel/AFP via Getty Images) This video frame grabs an image obtained by AFP from ORTN - Télé Sahel on July 28, 2023, shows General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger's new strongman, speaking on national television and reading a statement as "President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland", after the ouster of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum. The chief of the Presidential Guard justifies the coup by evoking "the continued deterioration of the security situation" in the country, as well as "poor economic and social governance".

Niger's Presidential Guards commander Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani declared himself the country's new leader Friday (July 28) after staging a coup earlier this week that ousted the person he was supposed to protect, Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum.

Also known as Omar Tchiani, it was alleged he staged the takeover when he ordered his units to seize the country's leader.

The coup shattered what was supposed to be the West African nation's first peaceful and democratic transition of power since independence from France in 1960. It was also the country's fifth successful coup in West Africa in three years, after Burkina Faso and Mali had two each, resurrecting the moniker "coup belt" for the region amid fears of implications for the security of the greater Sahel, one of the world's most unstable areas in recent years, as per Al Jazeera.

Bazoum in 'Good Health'

There are unconfirmed reports that Bazoum was thought to be in good health but still held captive by his own guards, the BBC reported.

The coup has been summarily condemned by most international organizations like the African Union, the West African bloc ECOWAS, the European Union, and the UN.

Gen. Tchiani commanded the Presidential Guards since 2011 and was promoted to the rank of general in 2018 by former president Mahamadou Issoufou.

Speaking in a televised address, Gen Tchiani said his junta took over because of several problems in Niger, including insecurity, economic woes, and corruption, among other matters.

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