Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

AU asks military in Niger to ‘return to their barracks’ within 15 days

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Jul 2023 18:25
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The AU's Peace and Security Council "condemns in the strongest terms possible" the overthrow of the elected government and its President Mohamed Bazoum.

  • x
  • The photo is AFP-obtained from a ORTN-Télé Sahel video on July 28, 2023, showing General Abdourahamane Tchiani. (AFP)
    The photo is AFP-obtained from an ORTN-Télé Sahel video on July 28, 2023, showing General Abdourahamane Tchiani (AFP)

After seizing control in a coup, the African Union has requested that the military in Niger "return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority" within 15 days.

Following a meeting on the Niger coup on Friday, the African Union's Peace and Security Council issued a declaration demanding that the military troops "immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum of fifteen (15) days."

Read next: Change of regime in Niger could be a blow to the West: Politico

It expressed extreme worry over the "alarming resurgence" of military coups throughout Africa and "condemns in the strongest terms possible" the toppling of the elected government and its President Mohamed Bazoum.

On Wednesday, members of the Nigerien military said in a statement broadcast on national television that they had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, closed borders, and imposed a curfew in the country "until further notice."

It came hours after members of the presidential guard detained Bazoum at his residence and sealed off access to offices in the Nigerien capital of Niamey.

The abovementioned Politico report claimed that the US and France consider Niger as "a strategic country" in the fight against terrorism, adding that the country is "one of the last Sahel nations that hasn’t deepened cooperation with Russia to the West’s detriment."

Earlier on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron described the coup as "completely illegitimate and profoundly dangerous, for Nigeriens, for Niger and for the whole region," calling for the release of Bazoum.

This comes after Nigerien military rebels reported on Thursday that a French military aircraft violated Niger's air border closure, which had been implemented in response to the recent coup in the country.

Related News

US troops in Niger 'stranded', say have no access to mail, medicine

US downplays effect of severed military accords with Niger

The French aircraft, identified as an A400M military plane, landed at Niamey's international airport at 6:30 am local time (05:30 GMT), despite the order to close both air and land borders.

The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, which is now in de facto control of Niger, made this claim during a televised address.

Despite being confined to his residence by his own presidential guard since the coup began, President Bazoum defiantly stated that the country's hard-won democratic progress would be safeguarded.

He received backing from international organizations and allies, including Germany, the United States, and France.

Although the coup faced disapproval from various countries and organizations, the head of the armed forces, General Abdou Sidikou Issa, expressed his support for the coup leaders to prevent further confrontations.

It is worth noting that Niger, a landlocked and impoverished nation, has a history of political instability, having experienced four coups since gaining independence from ex-colonizer France in 1960. The recent coup adds to the already troubled situation in the Sahel region of Africa, where insurgency and coups have been prevalent in neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso.

A short background

The situation has raised concerns about potential instability and security risks in the region. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the immediate release of President Bazoum, asserting his legitimacy as the lawful president of Niger.

International leaders, including those from the United Nations, the United States, and Russia, have called for peaceful dialogue and the release of President Bazoum, expressing concerns about the potential impact on security and humanitarian operations in Niger.

Since the start of the Ukrainian conflict, the African continent has been swept by a wave of change fueled by a sentiment of anti-Western imperialism. 

Burkina Faso and Mali, which are also part of the Sahel, have in recent years transitioned to military governments via coups by toppling Western-backed leaders.

On June 23, Niger's parliament approved a new national anthem, marking the first steps to free the country of any relics of French colonization.

  • Niger Coup
  • African Union
  • Niger
  • Mohamed Bazoum

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS