The armed forces chief of Niger on Thursday July 27, expressed his backing for the troops who claimed to have ousted the government, even as the democratically elected president of the country remained resolute in his position. The International community responded with strong criticism and concern over the situation.

Niger’s armed forces chief on Thursday declared his support for troops who said they had overthrown the government, despite a defiant stand by the country’s elected president and an outcry from the world community.The latest target of a coup in the turbulent Sahel, President Mohamed Bazoum has been confined at his residence since Wednesday by members of his presidential guard.

Late in the evening, their leaders, calling themselves the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), declared they had “decided to put an end to the regime,” and all institutions were being suspended, the borders closed and a night-time curfew imposed.

Armed forces chief General Abdou Sidikou Issa on Thursday swung his weight behind the putschists.

Earlier, Bazoum defiantly stood his ground as condemnation of the putsch swelled from African and international organizations and allies France and the United States.

The coup leader appeared on national television urging “the population to remain calm”, after the violence.

The president of neighboring Benin, Patrice Talon, has been expected in the capital for mediation efforts, the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said.

The parties in Niger’s ruling coalition denounced “a suicidal and anti-republican madness” and condemnation poured in from regional and global leaders.

ECOWAS and the African Union each blasted an “attempted coup d’etat” while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attacked “the unconstitutional change in government.”

Khalil Wakim, with AFP