This video frame grab image obtained by AFP from ORTN – Télé Sahel on July 28, 2023 shows General Abdourahamane Tchiani speaking on national television and reads a statement as "President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland". (PHOTO / AFP)
NIAMEY / UNITED NATIONS – General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of Niger's presidential guard, has been named "president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland" following a military takeover, state television reported Friday.
Soldiers in Niger have overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, the country's Defense and Security Forces (FDS) said in a press release broadcast on state television late on Wednesday, hours after the president was allegedly held hostage.
The UN Security Council on Friday strongly condemned Wednesday's military coup in Niger that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum
"This follows the continued deterioration of the security situation, poor economic and social governance," said Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, a member of the FDS and National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, newly established by soldiers.
There are currently 4.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Niger, compared to 1.9 million in 2017, Dujarric said.
More than 370,000 people are displaced within Niger, which also hosts more than 250,000 refugees, mainly from Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso, according to the spokesman.
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Namibia strongly condemned the attempted coup in Niger on Thursday. In a statement, Penda Naanda, executive director in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, said that Namibia stands firmly against any attempt to seize power through unconstitutional means.
"Namibia remains resolute in its stance on zero tolerance for acceding to power through unconstitutional means and supports the statement by the African Union on the attempted coup, in which it calls on the people of Niger, as well as all their brothers in Africa, particularly those in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and around the world, to unite in unanimous condemnation of the coup attempt and to demand the immediate and unconditional return of the soldiers to their barracks," Naanda said.
The ECOWAS is a regional political and economic union of 15 countries located in West Africa.
West African leaders are closely monitoring the developments in Niger and would resist any attempted coup in that country, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said Wednesday.
Tinubu, also chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS, said in a statement that he has been in close consultation with other leaders in the region. "The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa."
A general view of billowing smoke as supporters of the Nigerien defense and security forces attack the headquarters of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, the party of overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, in Niamey on July 27, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Bazoum, as the world body is suspending humanitarian operations in Niger due to the situation in the country.
"The problem on the air right now is that our humanitarian flights cannot fly within the country which means that our humanitarian operations are suspended," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, told reporters later at a daily press briefing.
The UN Security Council on Friday strongly condemned Wednesday's military coup in Niger that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum.
The council members called for the immediate and unconditional release of the president, and underscored the need to protect him, his family and members of his government, according to a press statement.
The council members expressed concern over the negative impact of unconstitutional changes of government in the region, the increase in terrorist activities and the dire socio-economic situation.
They underlined their regret over the developments in Niger, which undermine efforts at consolidating the institutions of governance and peace in that country.
They expressed support for the efforts made by the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations, underscoring the urgent need for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
The council members expressed their solidarity with the people of Niger and stressed the importance of protecting the population and providing continued humanitarian assistance.
