NIGER | Who's In Charge? Uncertainty surrounds Niger's Coup attempt....

MONTEGO BAY, Friday July 28, 2023 -  Two days after soldiers in the West African state of Niger announced a take over of the reins of government from the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum by the presidential guards, there is still uncertainty as to exactly who is in  charge.

Aljazeera reports that as of Friday, the soldiers have not announced a leader and Bazoum, who was elected in March 2021 in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transition since independence from France in 1960, has not resigned.

A statement released on Thursday and signed by army chief Abdou Sidikou Issa pledged support for the coup to avoid a “murderous confrontation” that could lead to a “bloodbath”.

While, Across the country, tensions remain high between supporters of the coup and people loyal to the president.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres  on Thursday demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, as military officers continue to hold the democratically-elected leader captive after declaring a coup.

The African Union and the west African bloc Ecowas condemned the coup d’etat, while Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said his Beninese counterpart, Patrice Talon, was travelling to Niger on a mediation mission. “He is going there now, he is on his way,” Tinubu, who is also the chair of Ecowas, said after meeting Talon in Abuja, a Guardian report said.

The foreign minister, Hassoumi Massaoudou, also issued a rallying cry on Twitter for “all democrats and patriots” to thwart the coup.

Massaoudou said the “legal and legitimate power” was the one exercised by the elected president, emphasising that while there had been a “coup bid … the whole of the army was not involved”.

“ From Mali in the west to Sudan in the east, a whole swathe of Africa is now run by the military. ”

He added: “We ask all the fractious soldiers to return to their ranks. Everything can be achieved through dialogue but the institutions of the republic must function.”

France’s government has said it does not consider the coup in Niger to be final despite the former French colony’s military leadership throwing its weight behind the removal of the democratically elected president.

“If you hear me talking about an attempted coup, it’s because we don’t consider things final,” said Catherine Colonna, the French foreign minister. “There is still a way out if those responsible listen to the international community.”

Niger is a key ally of France and the US in the war against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. The country’s role has grown since relations with Burkina Faso and Mali’s military governments soured, prompting foreign troop withdrawals.

A BBc report pointed out that From Mali in the west to Sudan in the east, a whole swathe of Africa is now run by the military.

Addressing reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday morning, António Guterres once again strongly condemned the attempted military takeover and the “assault against the democratically-elected government”.

The UN supports the efforts of the West African bloc ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) “to restore democracy.”

President Bazoum issued a defiant tweet of his own on Thursday, saying that “the hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it.”

Mr. Guterres said he had spoken to the president on Wednesday to express the UN’s full solidarity.

Addressing the coup plotters in Niger directly to camera, the UN chief demanded they stop obstructing democratic governance, and respect the rule of law.

After coups in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years, provoked by the rise of jihadist terrorist groups across the entire Sahel region, the Secretary-General noted that the events in Niamey were part of “a disturbing trend”.

“Successive unconstitutional changes of government are having terrible effects on the development and lives of civilian populations. This is particularly glaring in countries already affected by conflict, violent extremism and terrorism, as well as the devastating effects of climate change.”

The UN’s human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that he was “shocked and distressed” by the coup attempt, adding that every step must be taken to restore constitutional order.