, made the announcement on state TV today. They claimed the 'defence and security forces' had seized control of the West African nation due to the 'deteriorating security and bad economic and social governance'. Colonel-major Amadou Abdramane warned 'external partners' not to interfere after president Mohamed Bazoum was detained along with his wife at the presidential palace. People gathered outside the building, on the banks of the Niger River in Niamey, to protest against the takeover but they were quickly dispersed. However, other types of support for the Western-backed leader have seemingly remained strong, with foreign affairs minister Hassoumi Massoudou believing there is still a chance to turn the coup around. Protesters demonstrating against the president's detention flee after warning shots were fired on Wednesday (Picture: Getty) Supporters of Nigerien defence and security forces gathered in the capital Niamey (Picture: Getty) Soldiers said they wanted the coup because of 'deteriorating security and bad economic and social governance' (Picture: Getty) He told France24: 'There was an attempted coup but of course, we cannot accept it. We call on all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action that tends to set us back decades and block the progress of our country.' Mr Massoudou went on to call for the president's unconditional release and said talks are ongoing. Benin president Patrice Talon, head of the Economic Community of West African State, is expected to lead the mediation efforts. Mr Bazoum tweeted this morning: 'The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Mutinous soldiers have told the people of Niger they are carrying out a coup to oust the president.
The group, which calls itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country (CLSP), made the announcement on state TV today.
They claimed the ‘defence and security forces’ had seized control of the West African nation due to the ‘deteriorating security and bad economic and social governance’.