Deposed President of Niger appeals to the United States and the world community for support

Niger’s President Mohamed Bazum, who was removed from office during the coup, has turned to the United States and the international community for support and help in restoring order to the country. About this he wrote in an article for The Washington Post.

“In our hour of need, I call on the US government and the entire international community to help us restore our constitutional order. <...> The people of Niger will never forget your support at this turning point in our history,” he wrote.

Bazum pointed to the devastating consequences for Niger, the region and the world as a whole if the coup were to take place. He also drew attention to the fact that since coming to power after the next elections in 2021, the security situation in the country has improved significantly. According to Bazum, since taking office, the north and west of Niger have ceased to be subject to major terrorist attacks. In addition, 2022 was the first year when the educational process was not interrupted due to teacher or student strikes.

On July 26, the Niger military announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazum and the closure of the country’s borders. At the same time, a nationwide curfew was announced and the activities of all institutions of the republic were suspended. The rebels explained their actions by deteriorating security, economic and social problems. The UN Security Council later called on the rebels to release the country’s democratically elected president. August 2 rebels announced on the opening of air and land communications with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali and Chad.

Commenting on the events in Niger, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the situation causes Moscow “serious concern.” “We stand for the speedy restoration of the rule of law in the country. We stand for restraint on all sides so that this does not lead to human casualties. And, of course, we want Niger to return to the constitutional track as soon as possible and continue to solve the huge tasks that stand in the way of the development of this country,” he said.

The last coup attempted in Niger was in March 2021, hours before newly elected President Bazum was due to take the oath. Then the attempt was thwarted.