Who is Mohamed Bazoumi, are Islamist jihadist forces behind his ouster?

Soldiers in the West African state of Niger have staged a coup, captured power, and arrested its President Mohamed Bazoum after deposing him on Wednesday. In a video address, Niger Army spokesperson Col Major Amadou Abdramanne said that the constitution has been dissolved, all the institutions have been suspended and borders have been sealed.

The army spokesperson said that the defense and security forces have decided to end the regime. He also said that the decision had been taken considering “the deteriorating security situation and poor economic and social governance”. He added that the external forces need not interfere in the internal matter of the country.

UN, US Back Niger President

Reacting to the coup, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that he had talked to the president and offered him full U.N. support. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has promised Washignton’s ‘unwavering support’. He also urged to release President Mohamed Bazoum. The West African economic bloc ECOWAS said that it condemns in strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force.

The ousted president has been praised for fighting the Islamist jihadist insurgents in two parts of the country. The insurgent groups fighting in the southwest swept Mali in 2015. Other insurgents fighting in the southeast have bases in northeast Nigeria.

War Against Islamists?

Neighboring country Burkina Fasso too has experienced a military coup in the recent past. This is not the first coup attempt in Niger, there have been four coup attempts since the country got independence from France in 1960.

Deposed President Mohamed Bazoum was elected president in 2021, he has been a close ally of France and the Western nations.

FAQs:

Q1:Where is Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, what has happened to him?
Soldiers in the West African state of Niger have staged a coup, captured power, and arrested its President Mohamed Bazoum after deposing him Wednesday. In a video address, Niger Army spokesperson Col Major Amadou Abdramanne said that the constitution has been dissolved, all the institutions have been suspended and borders have been sealed.

Q2:Was it the first coup attempt in Niger?
This is not the first coup attempt in Niger, there have been four coup attempts since the country got independence from France in 1960.