Niger Coup: General Tchiani Heads Transition Govt Despite Tinubu, UN Warnings

General Abdourahamane Tchiani is the new leader of Niger following a military coup in the country on Thursday.

General Tchiani, who is the chief of the Presidential Guard has been named president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, according to a statement dated Friday, July 28, 2023.

PulseNets reports that President Mohamed Bazoum has remained under the custody of Nigerien army since Wednesday morning.

Earlier, the  United Nations secretary-general, António Guterreson, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Niger’s president.

Similarly, Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu, who doubles as the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), condemned the coup attempt in Niger, describing it as unpleasant development around the country’s highest political leadership.

Also Read: President Tinubu to Host ECOWAS Special Meeting over Niger Coup

He warned that ECOWAS and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.

Tinubu said that the leadership of ECOWAS will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.