Attempted coup in Niger likely to increase internal and regional instability while highlighting coup trend in Africa

By Connor Davis

Key points

• Event: On 26 July 2023 a group of Nigerien military officers announced on state-owned television that they had overthrown Niger's democratically elected government
• Significance: The attempted ongoing coup is likely being resisted by what remains of the overthrown government and likely does not have the support of all of Niger's military
• Outlook: A successful coup would likely mean violence around the capital, Niamey, in the immediate term and likely create uncertainty in Niger's foreign relations and international commitments in the short term

Event

On 26 July 2023 at 2330 h local time, Nigerien military officer Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane announced on state-owned ORTN Télé Sahel television channel that the self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie: CNSP) had overthrown Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum and removed the democratically elected government. Col Maj Abdramane, spokesperson for the National CNSP, appeared surrounded by a military group in various Nigerien military uniforms and announced that the CNSP had suspended the constitution, closed Niger's air and land borders, and instated a curfew between 2300 h and 0500 h local time. Col Maj Abdramane cited “the continuing deterioration of the security situation [and] the bad economic and social governance” as the reasons behind the coup. No violence has been reported between members of the Presidential Guard (Garde Présidentielle) and the military or between military units.

Video frame grab image obtained by AFP from ORTN Télé Sahel showing CNSP spokesperson Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane (centre) speaking during a televised statement on 26 July 2023. (ORTN Télé Sahel/AFP via Getty)

Significance