Coup supporters, Bazoum’s loyalists clash in Niger

Protests over the political situation in Niger have broken out in Niamey, the state capital.

On Wednesday, President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted from office by the country’s military. 

Amadou Abdramane, a colonel-major and spokesperson for the national committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), a group of coup leaders, said the soldiers decided to put an end to Bazoum’s regime.

Abdramane’s statement confirmed reports of suspicion of a coup attempt after soldiers belonging to Niger’s presidential guard surrounded and restricted Bazoum’s access to his office and residence on Wednesday.

Although it was unclear if the colonel-major acted for the entire army at the time, a statement from Niger’s military signed by Abdou Issa, the army chief of staff, on Thursday, declared allegiance to the security forces that overthrew Bazoum.

The statement, posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, said the decision was necessary to “avoid a deadly confrontation between the various forces”.

Shortly after, clashes between coup supporters and protesters broke out in Niamey, Niger’s capital.

Plumes of black smoke billowed from the ruling party’s headquarters after hundreds of coup supporters set the building on fire.

However, the state police dispersed them with volleys of tear gas.

Supporters of Bazoum’s regime also tried to march to the presidential palace to “free” the president from the clutches of the coup plotters, but were dispersed after “warning gunshots” were fired into the air.