On 26 July 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger when the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, and presidential guard commander General Abdourahamane Tiani proclaimed himself the leader of a military junta shortly after confirming the coup a success.
This was the fifth military coup d'état since the country gained independence from France in 1960, and the first since 2010. The coup was condemned by the United States and France, and by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, the latter of which threatened military intervention against the junta, leading to the 2023–2024 Niger crisis.
Background
Niger had previously undergone four military coups since independence from France in 1960, with the most recent having occurred in 2010. In between, there were also several coup attempts, the most recent of which was in 2021 when military dissidents tried to seize the presidential palace two days before the inauguration of president-elect Mohamed Bazoum. He was the first democratically-elected president to assume office from a similarly elected predecessor. The coup came in the wake of recent coups in nearby countries, such as in Guinea, Mali, and Sudan in 2021, and two in Burkina Faso in January and September 2022, which has led to the region being called a "coup belt".
Niger is a member of ECOWAS, which had already suspended Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso from membership because of successful coups in recent years. Chairman Bola Tinubu warned that they will not allow another coup in the region and would take up these issues with the African Union and Western countries.
Analysts cite the rising cost of living and perceptions of government "incompetence", as well as Bazoum's plans to replace the head of the presidential guard, General Abdourahmane Tiani, as possible triggers for the coup.
The country frequently ranks at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index and has also suffered from Islamist insurgencies led by Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Boko Haram, despite its military receiving training and logistical support from the United States, France and Turkey, which have bases in the country. Disputes with the army over attitudes with ECOWAS' position on military juntas in the region may have also played a part; Salifou Modi, chief of staff of Niger's military, visited Bamako in March 2023 to agree with Mali that it could pursue jihadists on Malian territory, but Bazoum was supportive of ECOWAS in its anti-junta stance; Modi was replaced as chief of staff a few weeks later. Tiani stated that the Nigerien military overthrew Bazoum because of rising insecurity in regard to jihadism, but jihadist violence was decreasing at the time of the coup.
In 2022, the country became the hub of France's anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel region following its expulsion from Mali and Burkina Faso, with Bazoum being described as one of the few remaining pro-Western leaders in the region. Niger became a key ally for Western (particularly French, American, and Turkish) forces. With multiple coups and rising anti-French sentiments in the region, Niger became France's partner of last resort. American-trained officers were also reported to have trained many members of the presidential guard. US military investments in Niger include nearly 1,100 soldiers, drones, a secret CIA base, and millions of dollars in aid.
At the same time, along with anti-French sentiment, a current of thought favorable to the entry of Russian influence and the Wagner Group mercenary company began to grow. Russia, through Wagner, has been gaining ground at the expense of the French in the region, following the latest coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. At the same time, Turkey has also expanded its influence.
Events
26 July
Bazoum's detention
Early in the morning, the Nigerien presidency's Twitter account announced that presidential guards, commanded by Tiani engaged in an "anti-Republican demonstration" and tried "in vain" to obtain the support of the other security forces. It also said that Bazoum and his family were well after reports emerged that he was being held in the Presidential Palace in Niamey. Interior Minister Hamadou Souley was also arrested and held in the palace, while roughly 20 members of the presidential guard were spotted outside later in the day. The coup was reportedly led by Tiani, whom analysts said Bazoum had planned to relieve from his position. Sources close to Bazoum said that he had decided on Tiani's dismissal at a cabinet meeting on 24 July as their relations had reportedly become strained. Bazoum's wife Hadiza Bazoum and son Salem were detained with him at the presidential palace; his daughters were in Paris at the time of the coup.
Bazoum and his family were still in detention in mid-November 2023, reportedly with little food, water, or electricity.
Military mobilization
In the morning the palace and adjacent ministries were blocked off by military vehicles and palace staff were prevented from accessing their offices. Up to 400 civilian supporters of Bazoum tried to approach the palace but were dispersed by the presidential guard with gunfire, leaving one injured. Elsewhere in Niamey, the situation was described as calm. The presidency claimed that protests in support of Bazoum had occurred around the country's overseas diplomatic missions.
In response to these events, Niger's armed forces surrounded the presidential palace in support of Bazoum. The army issued a statement saying they had secured "major strategic points" in the country. The presidency stated that the army and the National Guard were ready to attack the presidential guard. The BBC reported that loyalist forces had surrounded the state broadcaster ORTN. The US embassy warned against travel along Niamey's Boulevard de la Republique, where the Presidential Palace was located.
Announcement of Bazoum's overthrow
In the evening, air force Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane went on state television channel Télé Sahel to claim that Bazoum had been removed from power and announced the formation of a National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland. One of the officers seen during the announcement was later identified as General Moussa Salaou Barmou, the head of the country's special forces.
Seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing uniforms representing all the different branches of the security forces, Abdramane said the defense and security forces had decided to topple the regime "due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance." He also announced the dissolution of the country's constitution, the suspension of all state institutions, the closure of the country's borders and a nationwide curfew from 22:00 until 05:00 local time, while warning against any foreign intervention. The curfew was lifted on 4 August.
27 July
Bazoum's response
In the morning, Bazoum tweeted that Nigeriens who love democracy would see to it that "hard-won gains will be safeguarded", indicating his refusal to step down from office. His foreign minister, Hassoumi Massaoudou, told France 24 that the country's "legal and legitimate power" remained with the president and reiterated that Bazoum was in good condition and that not the entire army was involved. Massaoudou declared himself acting head of state and called on all democrats to "make this adventure fail".
Despite being detained, Bazoum did not resign and was able to contact world leaders and officials such as French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Commissioner Moussa Faki, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. However, a former advisor to Bazoum who had been in contact with him said that the military was trying to wear him down by surrounding his residence with armored military vehicles, chaining the access gates shut and cutting the electricity supply. Subsequent reports indicated that he was suffering from bad health while in captivity.
Military recognition of the junta
The leadership of the Niger Armed Forces issued a statement signed by the army chief of staff, General Abdou Sidikou Issa, declaring its support for the coup. The statement mentioned the need to "preserve the physical integrity" of the president and his family and avoid "a deadly confrontation that could create a bloodbath and affect the security of the population."
In a television statement shortly after, Abdramane announced the suspension of all activities by political parties in the country until further notice. He also announced that the junta had issued a reprimand to France for violating the airspace closure after a military plane landed at an air base. Throughout the day, Télé Sahel continually broadcast the announcement of the junta's establishment with a few breaks in programming. The junta revoked military cooperation agreements with France, which had between 1,100 and 1,500 troops in the country.
A pro-coup demonstration took place with about 1,000 supporters of the junta flying Russian flags, voicing support for the Wagner Group, and throwing rocks at a passing politician's vehicle. The demonstrators denounced the French presence and that of other foreign bases. Other demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of Bazoum's PNDS-Tarayya party, with footage showing them stoning and setting fire to vehicles. They ransacked and burned the premises, leading police to disperse them with tear gas. Demonstrations occurred in front of the National Assembly. This prompted the Interior Ministry in the evening to ban on all demonstrations with immediate effect. Civil servants were told to stay home.
28 July
Tiani proclaimed himself as the president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland in an address on Télé Sahel. He said the coup was undertaken to avoid "the gradual and inevitable demise" of the country and said that Bazoum had tried to hide "the harsh reality" of the country, which he called "a pile of dead, displaced, humiliation and frustration". He also criticized the government's security strategy for its purported ineffectiveness and lack of collaboration with Mali and Burkina Faso but did not give a timeline for a return to civilian rule. His position as de facto concurrent head of state was later confirmed by Colonel Abdramane, who accused officials of Bazoum's government of plotting against the new regime while sheltering in foreign embassies and warned of bloodshed if they pushed through.
Aftermath
Disruption within Niger following the coup continued, with demonstrations, censorship of broadcasts and interruptions to power supplies, as well as evacuations of foreign nationals. The situation escalated into a serious international crisis leading to threats of military intervention by ECOWAS and heightened tensions and military mobilization in Niger.
On 10 August, the junta declared a new government, naming 21 ministers led by Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine in an announcement on Télé Sahel by "secretary-general of the government" Mahamane Roufai Laouali. Three generals who were members of the CNSP were named to head the Interior, Defense and Sports ministries.
The heavy pressure from the international community and ECOWAS to hand over power, has prompted the junta to seek support from like-minded regimes in the region. On 2 August, a junta delegation headed by General Salifou Mody traveled to Bamako, Mali, and then to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. On 12 August, a delegation from the putschists, led by General Moussa Salaou Barmou, visited Conakry to ask Guinea for support and was received by the head of the Guinean junta, Mamadi Doumbouya.
On 13 August, the junta announced that it would prosecute Bazoum for "high treason" and "undermining the country's security". On 20 August, Tiani promised to return Niger to civilian rule within three years after meeting ECOWAS mediators in Niamey. On 22 August, the African Union suspended Niger from the bloc and told its members to avoid any action that might legitimize the junta. The junta gradually reopened Niger's borders, starting with crossings to Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, and Chad on 1 August, followed by its airspace on 4 September.