Niger guards blockade President Mohamed Bazoum's palace - reports

[muriel_volestrangler]

BBC:

Soldiers in Niger have blockaded the presidential palace, as well as several ministries in the capital, Niamey, according to reports.

No shots were fired and it's not clear if this is an attempt by the presidential guard to seize power.

The president's office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their "anti-republican" efforts.
...
Reports say the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former presidents are currently involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66312011

Reuters:

Niger's president being held inside palace - security sources

Niger presidential guards are holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning, security sources said.

The movements have the semblance of four military takeovers that have hit neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020.

Ministries next to the palace have also been blocked off, and staff inside the palace have not been able to access to their offices, presidency and security sources said.

The rest of Niamey appeared calm, with normal morning traffic on the road and full internet access, a Reuters reporter said.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/soldiers-nigers-presidential-guard-blockade-presidents-office-security-sources-2023-07-26/

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Niger soldiers declare coup on national TV

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday.

He was promised Washington's "unwavering support" in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN's full support.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66320895

[Tetrachloride]

2. the wiki. 33 people per square mile

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger