Hours after soldiers seized power in the West African nation of Niger, the country’s ousted president sounded a defiant note on Thursday morning, vowing to protect his “hard-won” democratic gains, even as he was being held by his own guards.
The president, Mohamed Bazoum, appeared to be still in detention at the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey, where his guards turned on him early Wednesday, prompting a crisis in the vast, largely desert nation twice the size of France.
“The hard-won gains will be safeguarded,” Mr. Bazoum said in a message on social media.
“All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom would want this.”The country’s foreign minister adopted a similar tone, telling a French television station that Mr. Bazoum remained the sole “legitimate power” in Niger, and that the military was not united in the attempted coup.
Persons:
Mohamed Bazoum, Mr, Bazoum
Locations:
West African, Niger, Niamey, France