NIGER
Holding a Breath
Nigerien forces foiled an attempted coup Wednesday, just days ahead of the country’s first democratic handover of power, Reuters reported.
Officials said that attackers from a nearby airbase had attempted to seize control of the presidential palace but later retreated after facing heavy gunfire and shelling from the presidential guard.
Dozens were arrested.
The attempted coup comes two days before President-elect Mohamed Bazoum, the ruling party’s candidate, will be sworn in following an election victory disputed by his opponent, Mahamane Ousmane.
Niger has been plagued by jihadist attacks as well as protests following Bazoum’s victory in a February presidential election runoff. Ousmane, a former president, has rejected the results and made accusations of fraud.
Bazoum’s election is the first democratic transition of power in a country that has seen four military coups since independence from France in 1960, including one which toppled Ousmane in 1996.
No comments:
Post a Comment