General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the Presidential Guard since 2011, appeared on state television saying he was the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland”. The coup has prompted mounting concern and Kenyan President William Ruto called the army takeover “a serious setback” for Africa. West African leaders will meet Sunday in the Nigerian capital Abuja to discuss the coup, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said. Their juntas have forced out French troops, and in Mali the ruling military has woven a close alliance with Russia. Bazoum took office after elections two years ago, in Niger’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 28, 2023 18:21 UTC