After the recent military coup that ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of Niger’s presidential guard, has declared himself the leader of the transitional government in the West African nation.
Speaking on state-run television on Friday, Tchiani proclaimed his position as the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.”
The 62-year-old general justified the coup by stating that it was necessary to prevent “the gradual and inevitable demise” of the country. He criticised the former president, Bazoum, asserting that despite Bazoum’s efforts to portray a positive image, the reality was filled with “a pile of dead, displaced, humiliation, and frustration.” Tchiani also expressed dissatisfaction with the security approach implemented by the previous administration, as it failed to bring stability to the nation despite significant sacrifices.
Notably, Tchiani did not provide any specific timeline for the transition back to civilian rule.
Tchiani, who assumed leadership of the elite unit in 2011, hails from Niger’s western region of Tillaberi, which borders Mali. He maintains a close alliance with former President Mahamadou Issoufou, who governed the country until 2021.
In March 2021, General Tchiani reportedly led the resistance against a foiled coup attempt when a military unit tried to seize the presidential palace just days before Bazoum’s inauguration after winning the election.
On Wednesday, Tchiani’s unit detained President Bazoum at the presidential palace in the capital city of Niamey, prompting widespread condemnation from African leaders and the international community. The current whereabouts of Bazoum and whether he is still under detention remain unclear.
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the spokesperson for the group that took power, declared on state TV that the constitution had been suspended, and Tchiani, as the head of the ruling council, had assumed the position of head of state.
The coup in Niger marks the fifth successful military takeover in the landlocked nation since gaining independence from France. This recent coup, along with previous ones in Burkina Faso and Mali, has raised concerns about the region’s stability and its implications for the greater Sahel, an area known for its ongoing instability and security challenges.