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Struggle to contain situation before it gets out of hand: AJ correspondent
Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris, who has reported extensively on Nigerien affairs, says the next few days will be “critical”.
“What is clear right now is the struggle to contain the situation before it gets out of hand,” he said from Abuja, the capital of neighbouring Nigeria.
“The biggest concern is to contain the situation among supporters of the coup and supporters of the government.
“Apart from that, there is also the concern about possible divisions within the army,” added Idris, noting that there are still people in the security forces who are loyal to Bazoum
UN chief ‘extremely worried’ about situation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is “extremely worried” about the situation in Niger.
Speaking to reporters, he said he spoke with Bazoum after the coup attempt.
“I don’t know exactly where he is, but he was detained,” Guterres said. “He told me he was well, but he told me that the situation was very serious.”
Guterres also warned of the “terrible effects on development” and civilians due to “successive unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel”.
“If you look at the region, you have dramatic terrorist increase of activity in Mali, in Burkina Faso, in Nige … you have military regimes,” he said.
“We are witnessing that the whole belt, south of the Sahara, is becoming an extremely problematic area with terrible consequences for their populations and with terrible consequences for peace and stability for the African continent and further afield,” Guterres added.
The coup is “another symptom, another … very dramatic event that only benefits the terrorist groups operating in the area.”
Niger’s army has declared allegiance to the defence and security forces that moved against President Mohamed Bazoum, as demonstrations both in favour and against the coup plotters take place in the capital, Niamey.
In a social media post on Thursday, Bazoum said “hard-won gains” in establishing democracy in Niger will be protected.
ALJAZEERA.
Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris, who has reported extensively on Nigerien affairs, says the next few days will be “critical”.
“What is clear right now is the struggle to contain the situation before it gets out of hand,” he said from Abuja, the capital of neighbouring Nigeria.
“The biggest concern is to contain the situation among supporters of the coup and supporters of the government.
“Apart from that, there is also the concern about possible divisions within the army,” added Idris, noting that there are still people in the security forces who are loyal to Bazoum
UN chief ‘extremely worried’ about situation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is “extremely worried” about the situation in Niger.
Speaking to reporters, he said he spoke with Bazoum after the coup attempt.
“I don’t know exactly where he is, but he was detained,” Guterres said. “He told me he was well, but he told me that the situation was very serious.”
Guterres also warned of the “terrible effects on development” and civilians due to “successive unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel”.
“If you look at the region, you have dramatic terrorist increase of activity in Mali, in Burkina Faso, in Nige … you have military regimes,” he said.
“We are witnessing that the whole belt, south of the Sahara, is becoming an extremely problematic area with terrible consequences for their populations and with terrible consequences for peace and stability for the African continent and further afield,” Guterres added.
The coup is “another symptom, another … very dramatic event that only benefits the terrorist groups operating in the area.”
Niger’s army has declared allegiance to the defence and security forces that moved against President Mohamed Bazoum, as demonstrations both in favour and against the coup plotters take place in the capital, Niamey.
In a social media post on Thursday, Bazoum said “hard-won gains” in establishing democracy in Niger will be protected.
ALJAZEERA.
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