Situation in Niger After Military Coup
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

Niger's Regional Authorities Back Rebel-Led Transition

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The presidents of Niger's regional and municipal councils released a joint declaration on Saturday throwing their support behind the rebel-led transition.
Sputnik
The Association of Municipalities of Niger (AMN) and the Association of Regions of Niger (ARENI) said that all 262 territorial entities they represented "give [their] firm support of the actions announced by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland for a successful transition."
The declaration, co-signed by AMN President Abdou Ouhou Dodo and ARENI President Anacko Mohamed, condemned sanctions imposed on Niger by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), arguing that the curbs amplified the already serious security problems and contributed to endemic poverty in the country.
In response to the military coup in Niger, ECOWAS suspended all financial aid to the country, froze rebels' assets and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country.
Situation in Niger After Military Coup
Niger's Chief of Staff Orders Armed Forces on Maximum Alert
Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum was toppled in late July by his own elite guard and taken into custody in the national capital Niamey. Coup leaders set up a National Council to oversee a transition of power and rejected ECOWAS' ultimatum to reinstate the president, prompting a threat of a military intervention.