Niger’s president held hostage, awaits safe rescue plan.

Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum’s Bodyguards Stumble into ⁢Coup Attempt

In a‍ dramatic turn of events, the treacherous bodyguards of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum have unwittingly found themselves embroiled in ⁢a coup attempt. This unexpected twist has raised hopes among the international community⁤ that⁤ Bazoum may​ be able to regain power, that is, if the bumbling mutineers don’t eliminate him first.

“In the first day⁤ or so, it did not appear that anyone was supportive of this effort, including key military officials,” a senior State Department official told reporters. “[Military leaders] ⁤told us that⁢ they did not object to what was taking place because they couldn’t figure out how ​to‌ get the presidential guard to stand down ⁤without risk to the life‍ of the president and his family, because the presidential guard had surrounded the president’s residence.”

A Thorny Problem for Bazoum’s Allies

This predicament poses a thorny problem for Bazoum’s allies both within Niger and abroad, who have made it clear that they will resist General Abdourahmane Tchiani’s power grab. However, this leverage seems to have a precarious nature, leaving the coup plotters in an uncomfortable position.

State ​Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “It is clear that there has been an attempt to‌ remove President Bazoum from office. It’s not yet clear that attempt will ultimately be successful, so we are watching and monitoring ⁢very closely to prevent President​ Bazoum from being removed​ from office.”

The senior State Department official acknowledged that there⁢ might be⁢ a “narrow opportunity to reverse” the coup attempt. West African ​states in close proximity to Niger have instructed their military leaders to prepare for intervention. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a bloc‌ of 15 countries, has declared the crisis‍ a “hostage situation” and set a deadline for the “release and reinstatement” of the⁤ democratically-elected‍ president.

“In ‍the event [these] demands ‍are not met within one week, ⁢take all ⁢measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,” the‍ ECOWAS bloc said in a ⁣communique released Sunday. “Such ​measures may include the use of force; to ‍this effect, the⁢ Chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS⁢ are to meet immediately.”

The Stakes for ⁣Bazoum and his Allies

Tchiani’s self-serving maneuver has put one of the United States’​ closest ⁣friends in the region at risk. Bazoum, a leader committed to civic-minded initiatives such as building schools in a poverty-stricken yet resource-rich country, plays a crucial role in U.S. counterterrorism operations.

Bazoum’s potential downfall would ‌not only deprive the United States but also other European allies of a key‍ democratic partner in West Africa. This blow is further compounded by Russia’s success in forcing France to terminate its ‍counterterrorism ​partnership⁤ in neighboring Mali. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the⁣ Wagner Group, wasted no time⁣ in offering his services to Tchiani. However, the‌ ECOWAS states swiftly condemned the support of foreign governments and private military contractors, sending a clear warning ‌to Moscow.

ECOWAS Chairman Bola Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, declared, “No more time​ for ⁢us to⁤ send a ‌warning signal. It’s time for action.”

A Personal Dispute‍ with Geopolitical Ripple Effects

From the perspective of policymakers, this crisis appears to be a personal dispute with far-reaching geopolitical consequences. Tchiani is believed ⁢to have taken⁤ the president hostage ⁢to prevent his⁣ own dismissal. ‌The coup plotters have attempted to portray the ECOWAS countries as tools of colonialism, seemingly ‍in an effort to align their insubordinate operation with the mantle of anti-imperialism.

Amadou Abdramane, the junta spokesman, ‌stated on state television, “The aim of this meeting ‍is to approve a plan of ‌aggression against Niger, in the form ‌of an imminent military intervention in Niamey, in cooperation with African countries who are not members of the regional body and certain Western nations,” as reported by ​the⁢ Africa Report.

The junta also issued a warning that an ECOWAS intervention “will end in nothing but the massacre of the Nigerien population and chaos.” However, Bazoum’s⁣ allies maintain‌ that he remains “optimistic” about the crisis.

Nigerien Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou ‌expressed his confidence in Bazoum, stating,⁢ “He’s a great fighter and a seasoned trade unionist. If ⁤he’s optimistic about the situation, we can believe him. He really hopes that things will evolve in the right direction.”

President Biden’s Leverage and the Standoff

President Joe Biden’s administration is leveraging its influence by threatening to sever military and economic cooperation with Niger, which currently hosts around 1,100 U.S. troops. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commended the‍ strong leadership of the ‍ECOWAS bloc while urging the parties involved to seek a peaceful and swift resolution to the ⁢current situation. ​However, the‍ U.S. has not disclosed how​ it would respond if Tchiani​ ignores the ECOWAS ultimatum.

“The one positive aspect of this situation, to date, has⁢ been that there‌ has ⁢really been limited or minimal-to-no violence, and I think that’s a goal that everybody shares, [to] try and avoid open conflict,” the senior ⁢State Department official said. “If ‍you attack the presidential guard, and their⁤ first reaction is to kill the president, that’s not a ‌good outcome.”

For now, the standoff continues, with the focus centered on⁤ the⁤ president’s‌ residence. The senior State Department official reassured that there is ‌currently no unrest ‍in the city or the country at large.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases