General Omar Abdourahmane Tchiani has announced himself as the leader of a new junta following Wednesday’s coup in Niger.
General Tchiani’s presidential guards detained ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and sealed off the presidential compound on Wednesday morning.
They also announced dissolving the country’s constitution, shutting down its borders and imposing a curfew.
Former colonial power France say President Bazoum though still detained is in good health.
This is Niger’s fourth successful coup since independence 63 years ago.
Until the presidential guards under his command seized hold of Mr. Bazoum, little has been known of General Tchiani, 62.
The mysterious chief of the presidential guard since 2015 is from the Tillabéri region of western Niger.
His name kept popping up since the announcement of a “change in mood” of certain elements of the Nigerien presidential guard.
Even as the situation unfolded in Niamey several hours after the apparent coup bid information on General Tchiani was almost non-existent.
Adding to the confusing situation is that several first names have been attributed to him.
A confidant of former President Mahamadou Issoufou, he has led, since 2015, this elite corps of the Nigerien army, in charge of the security of the head of state.
By virtue of a mission he fulfilled by routing soldiers who tried to seize power last year. President Bazoum, as Issoufou’s immediate successor handed General Tchiani his vote of confidence by maintaining him in this strategic position.
Although the world does not know the reason for the insurrection, several sources speak of the desire of the ousted head of state to reorganise his security apparatus which involved removing his dependence on General Tchiani and his presidential guards.
For two years, a false decree stating his replacement by General Mohamed Toumba has been circulating on social media platforms.
WN/as/APA