One year ago, soldiers overthrew Niger’s democratically elected government and took President Mohamed Bazoum hostage. At first, the 26 July 2023 coup resembled others that have roiled West Africa in recent years. But it took a different course.
After days of uncertainty, the commander of the country’s presidential guard claimed the leadership of the West African nation in a televised address.
“We have decided to intervene and seize our responsibilities,” coup leader Abdourahmane Tchiani said on state television while asserting power over the country.
Mr Tchiani said he would not bow to the pressure and had gone from being Mr Bazoum’s protector to being his jailer. The junta’s justifications for the coup include poor economic management and the deteriorating security situation under Mr Bazoum.
One year later, those challenges remain. Niger’s economic and social indicators place it at the bottom of global development indices, as they were before the coup.