Niger’s presidential guard surrounds leader’s home in what African organizations call a coup attempt

By SAM MEDNICK
Associated Press

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Members of Niger’s presidential guard surrounded the presidential palace Wednesday in what African organizations called an attempted coup against the country’s democratically elected leader. The U.S. said the rebelling soldiers had detained President Mohamed Bazoum. A tweet from the account of Niger’s presidency reported that members of the elite guard unit engaged in an “anti-Republican demonstration” and unsuccessfully tried to obtain support from other security forces. It said Niger’s army and national guard “are ready to attack” if those involved in the action don’t back down. Multiple rounds of gunfire that appeared to come from the presidential palace dispersed marchers chanting “No coup d’etat” in support of the president on Wednesday evening.