This week Niger citizens living in the nation’s capital remain full of fear as gunfire erupted in the capital near the presidential palace. Because the shooting took place very close to the palace, it led to speculation that the incident was a coup attempt. If successful, a coup would cause instability in Niger just days before the country’s new President was sworn into office. Those responsible for the shootings would then hastily take over and impose their own rule.
Assailants met with heavy Gunfire in Niger Capital
According to residents in the capital, the shooting began around 3 a.m and went on for more than 30 minutes. Calm returned to the city afterward at around 10 a.m, with traffic also resuming, and the situation appeared normal, according to several witnesses. Later on in the day, a Niger security source revealed to the press that a military unit had tried to seize the presidential palace in Niger’s capital Niamey overnight. The source said the presidential guard unit managed to push back the assailants by heavy gunfire and restored order.
Some of the assailants from a nearby airbase fled after they were met with heavy shelling and gunfire from the presidential guard unit. A security source said a search was ongoing to find those who managed to get away. Out of all those who spoke to the press, nobody commented on the whereabouts of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum. But former U.S Sahel envoy J.Peter Pham tweeter later on that both the President and President-elect were safe.
The attack on the Presidential palace took place just two days before new President Mohamed Bazoum’s inauguration. Before the election, Niger faced a growing threat from Islamic extremists near its troubled border with Mali. Following the growing fighting due to Bazoum’s win, the Islamist militants joined protesters and launched even more attacks in the country.
Attacks launched by Islamists in Niger
Just over a week ago, the armed Islamists on motorcycles attacked a series of villages in the volatile border region. The Islamists took advantage of the country’s instability and killed at least 137 people in the deadliest violence to strike Niger in recent years. His attack came on the same day that the constitutional court certified Bazoum’s victory. In another recent incident, the Islamists killed at least 100 people in villages. The Islamists launched their attack on the same day that Niger announced the Presidential election would go to a second round on Feb. 21.
On the other hand, Ousmane supporters marched into the capital for scheduled protests and clashed with police. Officers had to fire teargas to disperse the protesters who had closed roads out of the city.
The rising attack by jihadists linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in areas across Niger have caused great insecurity. Additionally, the attacks have caused significant economic challenges, for Niger, in the regions most affected.
President Bazoum’s election is the first democratic transition of power that has witnessed four military coups. The recent attempts have been the first-ever since independence from France in 1960, including one which toppled Ousmane in 1996. Due to the recent attempts, the U.S Embassy in Niamey closed its doors when they heard gunshots in their neighborhood. The Embassy warned all visitors that the situation remained fluid in the post-election period. Furthermore, all Embassy personnel were asked to stay at home until further notice.
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