Niger in the grips of attempted coup against President Mohamed Bazoum

euronews (in English)

Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president's residence and offices in the capital Niamey, and after talks broke down "refused to release the president," said an anonymous presidential source.

Transcript

00:00 Supporters of Niger`s President Mohamed Bazoum took to the streets of the capital Niamey

00:06 on Wednesday, shouting "No coup d`etat" after members of the presidential guard detained

00:10 the democratically elected leader, triggering a standoff with the army.

00:15 Hours after the apparent coup, protesters tried to approach the presidential palace

00:19 where Bazoum was being held, but dispersed when guards fired warning shots at the crowd.

00:27 The African Union, France, the European Union and the U.S. have all condemned the action

00:31 and called for the release of the president and his family.

00:37 Soldiers from Niger claiming to represent defense and security forces announced on national

00:41 television they had overthrown the government, dissolved the constitution and closed the

00:46 borders.

00:47 Neighboring Benin`s president is reportedly en route to mediate as a representative of

00:51 the West African economic bloc, ECOWAS.

00:53 "Even when what is not acceptable is done, we must be able to correct it in peace.

01:01 This is our first option.

01:04 We think it will be successful."

01:09 President Bazoum is one of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region.

01:14 He was elected two years ago in the nation`s first peaceful democratic transfer of power

01:18 since its independence from France in 1960.

01:21 Bazoum has taken the helm of a country burdened by poverty and a history of chronic turmoil.

01:26 Threat to his leadership could undermine the West`s efforts to stabilize the region.

01:30 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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