He embodies the new strongman of Niger. General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the Nigerien presidential guard, read a press release on national television on Friday July 28 as “President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland”a term designating the junta that overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday, and has held him captive ever since.
In his speech, General Tchiani justified the coup d’etat by “the deterioration of the security situation” in the country, plagued by the violence of jihadist groups. He also denounced “political discourse” of the government which, according to him, denied “the harsh reality with its share of dead, displaced, humiliation and frustration”.
“The current security approach has not made it possible to secure the country despite the heavy sacrifices made by Nigeriens and the appreciable and appreciated support of our external partners.”
General Abdourahamane Tchianiduring a speech on television
After Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger, hitherto allied with Western countries, becomes the third country in the Sahel, undermined by attacks by groups linked to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, to experience a coup State since 2020.