President Ruto condemns Niger Coup as army general declares himself leader

 Kenya's President William Ruto. [Samson Wire, Standard]

President William Ruto has condemned the ongoing coup in Niger saying that democracy was subverted by an unconstitutional change of government.

Ruto's statement follows the Wednesday military seizure of power in the Niger Republic detaining President Mohamed Bazoum.

“Kenya joins the rest of the world to condemn in the strongest terms this unconstitutional act that subverts democracy through a coup d’état and calls for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum, who is reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard,” Ruto said in a statement. 

The president further noted that Africa as a continent has embraced democracy, aligning itself with the aspirations for freedom and self-determination.

He further called on the parties involved to desist from engaging in violence that could jeopardize the lives of their citizens.

“We call for the swift restoration of constitutional rule, ensuring the protection of the population and return to full civilian authority while upholding utmost respect for the country's institutions. In this moment of strife, we implore all parties to engage in constructive discourse to restore peace in this fraternal nation, which has steadfastly stood as a bulwark against terrorism and its agents in the Sahel region,” he added.

Ruto added that Kenya is willing to assist in resolving the conflict under the auspices of the Africa union.

His Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu has also called for the end of the coup and the reinstatement of peace in the West African nation.
International actors including the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and US Vice President Kamala Harris have also largely condemned any efforts to seize power by force in Niger.

General Abdourahmane Tchiani

This comes as the Niger head of the presidential guard, General Abdourahmane Tchiani has been named the leader of the transitional government two days after a coup that overthrew a democratically elected president.

Tchiani, 62, was declared president on Niger’s State television on Friday, July 28 which said that he had been named as “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland”.

The army spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said that the security forces had decided to “put an end to the regime that you know due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance”.

Abdramane also said Niger’s borders are closed, a nationwide curfew declared, and all institutions of the republic are suspended. The soldiers warned against any foreign intervention, adding that they will respect Bazoum’s well-being.