Niger military forces have appeared on national television, stating that President Mohamed Bazoum has been removed from power and the country’s borders have been closed. A country wide 7pm-5am curfew has been implemented. Bazoum appears detained.
Western countries have signaled they are upset with this development in Niger as they had close ties with the now deposed government and president. The U.S., in particular, has two military bases there, Air Base 101 in Niamey and Air Base 201 in Agadez.
Niger is also the world’s seventh largest uranium producer, making up around 4% of global output. Exports include major supplying of Europe, especially with reliance by France on the country for its nuclear-rich resources.
It remains unclear at this time what triggered the coup, but some have speculated anger over poor economic conditions and the government’s struggles in combating Islamic insurgencies in the country’s west.
