The Army in Niger Overthrew the President and Took Power: Opportunity for Russian Influence Opens Up

The army took power in Niger. In a televised address, the military announced that President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power and that all institutions and state borders would be closed until further notice, BTA reported. The message was read on national television by Colonel Amadou Abdraman.

"We have decided to put an end to the regime you know because of the deterioration of the security situation and mismanagement" - he said on behalf of the National Council for the Fatherland, surrounded by nine officers. - "All institutions are temporarily suspended. All land and air borders are closed, a nationwide curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. has also been introduced until further notice."

The military is warning any foreign authorities not to try to intervene. They claim to guarantee Bazum's immunity.

A military takeover would mark the seventh consecutive coup in West and Central Africa since 2020. It could complicate the West's efforts to help countries in the Sahel region (countries south of the Sahara) to fight jihadist extremism, which in the past ten years has left the borders of Mali and spread to their territory, Reuters notes.

Niger is a landlocked former French colony. The country has become a key ally in the fight against extremism for Western powers facing increasing hostility from the new juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso. Niger is also an important EU ally in the fight against illegal migration from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe. Last year, France moved troops from Mali into Niger after Paris's relationship with the interim government in Bamako soured. Due to such tensions, France also withdrew its special forces from Burkina Faso.

Bazum's election was the first democratic transfer of power in a...