![]() ![]() The US Embassy in Niger said it had received reports of political instability within the capital Niamey. A member of the National Guard guarding the building for both ministries told CNN that there are currently no officials inside. ![]() CNN has so far been unable to reach the country’s Ministry of Defence and Interior Ministry for comment. Reuters cited security sources and AFP referenced sources close to Bazoum. Up to 400 protesters were seen later on Wednesday, some holding photos of Bazoum and signs saying: “No to the destabilization of the republic’s institutions.” Niger’s presidential office said in a tweet on Wednesday that “spontaneous protests by democracy advocates broke out all over the (capital) city of Niamey, (around) the country and in front of Niger’s embassies abroad after the announcement this morning that President (Mohamed) Bazoum is being held in his palace by his guard.” ‘Avoid all travel’ The presidential guards are holding Bazoum inside the palace, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning, Reuters and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Wednesday. Presidential guards to fired “warning shots” to block their advance when protesters were about 300 meters (984 feet) from the presidential palace, but CNN saw no injuries. Hundreds of protesters later gathered in the capital Niamey in support of Bazoum. The country’s interior minister, Hamadou Souley, was also arrested by the presidential guard on Wednesday morning local time and is being held in the presidential palace in the capital Niamey along with Bazoum. CNN has reached out to the AFRICOM (United States Africa Command), US and French embassies in Niger. A statement on the presidency’s social media channels said President Mohamed Bazoum is “doing well” and the army and national guard were “ready to attack the elements of the GP involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses.” CNN cannot verify the statement. Roughly twenty members of the Presidential Guard could be seen outside the palace complex later in the day. Niger’s presidential complex was sealed off Wednesday, with heavily armed members of the Presidential Guard assembling outside the Presidential Palace early that morning. The source did not reveal what exactly was being discussed. The situation prompted intense discussions between the country’s Presidential Guard and government authorities, a source close to the president told CNN. “ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition,” the bloc added. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said earlier in the day that there had been an “attempt to seize power by force” in the West African country, in a statement on Wednesday. In a video communique, a man identified as Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane and flanked by several apparent soldiers, announced, “We have decided to put an end to the regime that you know,” citing a deteriorating security situation in the country and “poor economic and social governance.” National institutions have been suspended and the country’s land borders are temporarily closed, he also said, appearing to read from a text on the table before him. Men in military fatigues claimed to have taken power in Niger hours after President Mohamed Bazoum was reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard on Wednesday, leading to protests in the capital. ![]()
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