General Tchiani declared Niger’s new head of state, UN Security Council calls for immediate release of Bazoum
General Abdourahamane Tchiani
The Security Council members strongly condemned July 26, 2023, attempts to unconstitutionally change the legitimate government of the Republic of Niger, says the joint statement, adopted after the Friday meeting
The UN Security Council strongly condemned the coup d’etat in Niger and demanded an immediate and unconditional release of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Security Council members strongly condemned July 26, 2023, attempts to unconstitutionally change the legitimate government of the Republic of Niger, says the joint statement, adopted after the Friday meeting. Member of the Security Council called for immediate and unconditional release of President Bazoum and underscored the need to ensure security of his family and members of his cabinet.
The Security Council also underscored the urgent need to restore the constitutional order in Niger in accordance with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and underscored the important to protect the population and to ensure the continues provision of humanitarian aid.
Mutinous soldiers in Niger announced late on July 26 that they had removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power, closed the country’s borders and suspended the Constitution. They set up the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, which assumed all powers of government. In a statement broadcast on national television, the mutineers promised to guarantee the personal safety of former government officials.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani has declared himself head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland created in Niger.According to AFP, Bazoum is being held in a residence, located at the military base of the Presidential Guard, headed by Tchiani.
General Abdourahmane Tchiani has been declared Niger’s new head of state, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, a spokesman for the rebels who have seized power in the country, said in a televised address on Friday.
However, in his words, the constitution of the country remains suspended.
Several hours earlier, Niger’s state television said that Tchiani had declared himself head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the highest body of authority in the country.
On the evening of July 26, rebels in Niger announced the dismissal of President Mohamed Bazoum, the closure of national borders, the introduction of a curfew, the suspension of the constitution, and the prohibition of political parties.
During the coup, Tchiani reportedly headed the presidential guard, whose officers seized former President Bazoum. The National Council includes a range of Nigerien top officers, including former Chief of Staff General Salif Modi who retired this April.
