Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, also known as Omar Tchiani, has declared himself the new leader of Niger following a dramatic coup. The takeover began on Wednesday when the presidential

guards unit, led by Gen Tchiani, seized the country's leader, President Mohamed Bazoum. This coup shatters Niger's first peaceful and democratic transition since gaining independence in 1960.

Despite the turmoil, President Bazoum is reportedly in good health but remains captive under the control of his own guards. He had been a vital ally for Western nations in the fight against Islamist militants in the region.

The international community has widely condemned the coup, with the African Union, West African regional bloc (Ecowas), the EU, and the UN expressing strong disapproval. In contrast, the leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has reportedly praised the coup as a triumph, although the authenticity of his comments remains unverified.

Gen Tchiani, aged 62, has been in charge of the presidential guard since 2011 and was promoted to the rank of general in 2018 by former President Mahamadou Issoufou. He has previously been linked to a 2015 coup attempt against the ex-president but denied any involvement during court proceedings.

In his televised address, Gen Tchiani justified the junta's takeover, citing various issues plaguing Niger, including insecurity, economic challenges, corruption, and other pressing matters.

Niger's coup is the latest in a series of takeovers that have swept the West African region in recent years, leading to the downfall of governments in countries like Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. The coup also poses a significant blow to the leadership of Ecowas. Just two weeks prior, the bloc's chairman, President Bola Tinubu, raised alarm over the escalating terrorism and the emerging trend of coups in West Africa, urging prompt and coordinated action.

The coup's aftermath raises concerns about Niger's future alliances. Neighboring countries Burkina Faso and Mali have both leaned towards Moscow since their own recent coups. As Gen Tchiani takes the reins of power, there is uncertainty about the direction he will steer the nation and the implications for regional stability. The international community closely monitors the situation, hoping for a resolution that upholds democracy and peace in Niger and the wider West African region. Photo by The New York Times, Wikimedia commons.