General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who has been heading the Presidential Guard since 2011, declared himself the leader of Niger on state television, claiming to be the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.”
The group behind the coup in Niger appointed General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the new leader of the country, which has been grappling with instability and jihadist threats. In his televised address, the general, who has largely stayed out of public view until now, justified the coup as a response to the deteriorating security situation caused by ongoing jihadist violence. He raised concerns about the limited collaboration between Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, which all face similar threats.
The putschists, who have been widely criticized for forcibly removing a democratically elected president, warned against any foreign military intervention, stating that it would result in chaos.
As President Mohamed Bazoum remained in detention for the third day, France, the former colonial power, demanded the restoration of the government, refusing to recognize the putschists and affirming Bazoum as the legitimate president.
The coup in Niger has sparked growing concern, and Kenyan President William Ruto described it as a significant setback for Africa.
