BREAKING: Nigerien troops take over presidential village in coup attent

On Wednesday, members of the elite Presidential Guard blocked access to the residence and offices of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, although the reason for the action remained unclear. The landlocked West African nation has a history of instability, experiencing multiple coups and attempted power grabs since gaining independence from France in 1960.

The blocking of access affected both Bazoum’s official home and his offices within the presidential complex in Niamey. However, there were no signs of abnormal military deployment or gunfire in the area, and traffic appeared normal. President Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, maintains a close alliance with France.

Niger’s last coup took place in February 2010, leading to the overthrow of then President Mamadou Tandja. Subsequently, there was an attempted putsch on March 31, 2021, just two days before Bazoum’s inauguration. Several individuals, including the suspected ringleader, Captain Sani Gourouza, were arrested in connection with the incident.

In March of the same year, another attempt to oust Bazoum occurred while he was in Turkey. Although an arrest was made, the authorities never publicly commented on the incident.

Niger faces significant challenges, including a surging population and two ongoing jihadist campaigns. The country struggles with poverty and ranks low on the UN’s Human Development Index. Despite these difficulties, President Bazoum seeks to stabilize the nation and promote its prosperity. The recent blockade of his residence and offices adds to the country’s history of political turmoil and underscores the ongoing fragility of Niger’s political landscape