By Sarah Dean, Niamh Kennedy and Larry Madowo, CNN (CNN) — There has been an attempted coup in Niger, regional leaders say, following reports the country’s president has been seized by his guards. “ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plott…
A military unit tried to seize the presidential palace in Niger's capital Niamey overnight in an attempted coup but it was pushed back and order has been restored, the government said on Wednesday, days…
The presidency of the West African country said that members of the presidential guard were trying to rally the military in an “anti-republican move.” The president’s fate was unclear.
Members of the presidential guard declared a coup of Niger’s government Thursday, yet the president and his foreign minister have denied losing power. The international community has expressed support for the president, as Benin leads mediation efforts.
The U.S. has about 1,100 troops in Niger spread out at three outposts, with a primary mission of training and supporting the local Nigerien forces, specifically the Special Operations.
The Nigerien military has backed the coup leaders who have reportedly seized the president of the West African country, prompting warnings from international leaders of the threat to democracy.
Niger's army command on Thursday declared its support for a coup instigated the previous day by soldiers of the presidential guard, saying its priority was to avoid destabilising the country.
