The Nigerien army announced, today, Thursday, its support for the coup elements against the rule of President Mohammed Bazoum, justifying its change of position regarding what is happening in the country by "avoiding fighting within the ranks of the armed forces."

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces in Niger, General Abdou Siddig Issa, announced, in a statement, support for the announcement by a group of military personnel to put an end to the regime of President Bazoum, who has been detained since yesterday in the presidential palace by members of the presidential guard, saying that "the military leadership of the armed forces in Niger decided to support Declaration of defense and security forces, in order to avoid a bloody confrontation between the various forces.

In a related context, the United Nations called today for the immediate release of the President of Niger, and the restoration of constitutional order in this country, as Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, stressed, in a statement, that "every effort must be made to restore constitutional order and the rule of law, Immediately and unconditionally release of President Mohammed Bazoum, and ensure his security.

President Mohammed Bazoum, who is being held by coup soldiers, had rejected earlier in the day the coup, stressing that he still represents the legitimate authorities in the country, calling on the dissident officers to dialogue.

Bazoum said, in a message via the "X" service, of "Twitter", previously, that "the gains that were achieved after a long struggle will be preserved, and that all the people of Niger who love democracy and freedom will be keen on that."

Early today, the putschists announced, in a statement on national television, that President Mohammed Bazoum had been removed from power, hours after he was detained in the presidential palace, the borders closed, a curfew imposed, and the work of all institutions in the country suspended./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency