Niger’s chief of staff declared support for the coup saying priority was given to avoid destabilizing the country. Niger is the latest to witness a coup in the Sahel region following the examples of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso. While the whereabouts of President Bazoum are still unknown, foreign minister Hassoumi Massoudou declared himself head of state and called to foil the coup. The removed president was promised Washington’s “unwavering support” in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Bazoum came to power in 2021 following presidential elections whose results were rejected by the opposition.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 27, 2023 12:51 UTC