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Post-coup situation in Niger remains uncertain

28 July 2023 14:40 (UTC +04:00)

Two days after mutinous soldiers detained Niger’s democratically elected president, it was still unclear Friday morning who was running the country and what mediation efforts were underway, APA reports citing AP News.

The mutinous soldiers have not announced a leader and President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960, has not resigned.

A statement tweeted by the army command’s account declared that it would back the coup to avoid a “murderous confrontation” that could lead to a “bloodbath.”

Tensions remain high across the country between coup supporters and those loyal to the president.

Some of the last public communications from the government included a defiant tweet by the president Thursday declaring that democracy would prevail and a call by Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou for Nigeriens to stand against the mutiny.

So far, there have been no public statements from the government or rebel soldiers or any updates on any mediation talks.