BREAKING: Tension as Guards Reportedly Detain Niger President Bazoum, Details Emerge
- Presidential guards have reportedly detained President Mohamed Bazoum of the Niger Republic inside the palace in Niamey
- The guards were said to be following an “ultimatum” by the army not to release President Bezoum after talks broke down
- The Niger Presidency, however, has issued a statement that Bazoum and his family are well after the unpleasant incident
Niamey, Niger Republic - Niger President, Mohamed Bazoum has reportedly been detained by guards inside the presidential palace in Niamey, following an “ultimatum” by the army.
As reported by The Nation, sources said disgruntled members of the Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices.
Source: UGC
The sources said guards “refused to release the president,” after talks broke down
“The army has given them an ultimatum,” the source said.
Bazoum was democratically elected in 2021 in the nation's first democratic transition of power.
Reacting, Niger’s presidency said some presidential guards had started an “anti-republican” movement “in vain”, Aljazeera reported.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 26, the Presidency disclosed that the army and national guard were ready to attack those involved in the “mood swing” if the movement did not end.
The statement further revealed that President Bazoum and his family were well.
Security sources said the Presidential Palace and ministries next to it were all blocked off by military vehicles on Wednesday morning, July 26.
It was gathered that there was, however, calm elsewhere in the capital, Niamey.
President Tinubu condemns the reported detention of Niger President Bezoum
President Bola Tinubu, the new chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), described the unfortunate events as “unpleasant developments”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Nigerian leader said he was already in “close consultation” with other leaders in the region about the situation.
“The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa … we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.”
Professor Raymond Atuguba warns about possible coup in Ghana
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh has reported in a separate story that Professor Raymond Atuguba indicated last year that the country is susceptible to a coup judging by the nation's economic woes.
The law professor revealed that a study about successful and unsuccessful coups used Ghana as some of its case studies.
At the time of disclosing the details of the study, the cedi had plunged against the dollar to become the worst-performing African currency.
New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!
Source: Legit.ng
George Nyavor (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) George Nyavor writes for YEN.com.gh. He has been Head of the Politics and Current Affairs Desk since 2022. George has over 9 years of experience in managing media and communications (Myjoyonline and GhanaWeb). George is a member of the Catholic Association of Media Practitioners Ghana (CAMP-G). He obtained a BA in Communications Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2010. Reach out to him via george.nyavor@yen.com.gh.
Audrey Gyamfi (Copy Editor) Audrey Gyamfi is a copy editor at YEN. She graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a degree in Psychology and English. Audrey previously worked for 7 years as a copy editor for Kwadwoan publishing. She can be reached at audrey.gyamfi@yen.com.gh.
