On Wednesday, members of Niger’s presidential guard encircled the presidential palace in what African organizations deemed an attempted coup against the country’s democratically elected leader.

The U.S. confirmed that the rebellious soldiers had detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

According to a tweet from Niger’s presidency account, the elite guard unit engaged in an “anti-Republican demonstration” and sought support from other security forces, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The tweet assured that President Bazoum and his family were safe, but the country’s army and national guard were prepared to take action if the coup attempt did not cease, the Associated Press has reported.

Both the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States characterized the events in Niger’s capital as an endeavor to overthrow Bazoum, who had been democratically elected two years ago, marking the nation’s first peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960.

The governments of France and the United States expressed concern and urged the participating guardsmen to reconsider their actions.

Bazoum’s administration had established Niger as a crucial Western ally in the fight against Islamist extremism in the Sahel region of Africa.

The area surrounding the presidential palace in the capital city of Niamey was blocked off on Wednesday, as were some government ministries.

In the early evening, a large crowd of demonstrators marched in support of the president, chanting “No coup d’état.”

However, the situation turned tense when multiple rounds of gunfire, seemingly originating from the presidential palace, dispersed the protesters, causing people to seek shelter and safety, as reported by an Associated Press correspondent at the scene.

Written by staff