Sequence of Events

26 JULY

  • Reports of the arrest of President Mohamed Bazoum his wife and son, blockade of the presidential palace and access to several ministries in Niamey, Niger by the Presidential guard (BBC, Aljazeera)
  • Anti-coup protests broke out in Niamey and other parts of Niger, the junta opened fire of the protesters (Présidence du Niger - Twitter,  Anadolu Agency)
  • A group of 9 senior officials from various branches of the military and security forces named Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie (CNSP) (in English: The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland) announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from power and announced the formation of the CNSP. Nigerien Air Force officer serving as the spokesperson of the CNSP, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane stated the dissolution of the country’s constitution, suspension of state institutions, closure of Niger’s borders and warning against foreign intervention  (Télé Sahel)

27 JULY

  • President Mohamed Bazoum tweeted “Les acquis obtenus de haute lutte seront sauvegardés. Tous les nigériens épris de démocratie et de liberté y veilleront.” (In english: The hard-won gains will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom will see to it.) (Mohamed Bazoum - Twitter)
  • Nigerian army chief of staff General Abdou Sidikou Issa declared support of the army to the military takeover of the government of President Mohamed Bazoum (Aljazeera, CNN)
  • Pro-coup demonstration in Niamey. (France 24, Aljazeera)

28 JULY

Former head of the presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself as the president of the CNSP and his position as head of state was confirmed by Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane (Aljazeera, the Africa report)

29 JULY

  • France suspends development and financial support to Niger  (Le Monde, Reuters)
  • US threatens to suspend financial and security partnership to Niger  (VOA, CTV News)

30 JULY

French President Emmanuel Macron warns that attacks against French interests in Niger will spur swift response following videos of demonstrations and attacks against the French embassy in Niger (Reuters, Euronews)

31 JULY

Kremlin calls the situation in Niger “cause for serious concern” (Aljazeera, Reuters)

1 AUGUST

The Military junta in Niger appoints 8 new regional governors (Sahara Reporters, Daily Observer)

2 AUGUST

3 AUGUST

Massive demonstrations in support of the coup in Niger is organised by M62, a former opposition movement, takes place in Niamey, Niger during Niger’s independence day. (CTV News, africanews)

4 AUGUST

  • The CNSP announced the ending of the diplomatic ties with France, the US, Togo and Nigeria to Niger. (Anadolu Agency, The Guardian Nigeria)
  • Several senior military staff appointments were made by Niger’s junta. Brigadier General Sani Kaché was appointed as the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defense and Brigadier General Moussa Salaou Barmou was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Army (ActuNiger)

6 AUGUST

Massive pro-coup public demonstration in Niamey’s stadium showing rejection of ECOWAS’ intervention (AP Archive, africanews)

7 AUGUST

8 AUGUST

  • Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, former advisor of ousted President Bazoum, announced in a video the creation of Conseil de la Résistance pour la République (CRR) [in English - the Council of the Resistance for the Republic] launched by Former Tuareg rebel leader and former Nigerian Minister of Tourism, Rhissa Ag Boula. (Reuters, TRT Afrika)
  • Niger’s junta accused that the French government of sending an A400M military aircraft from Chad to Niger, even though Niger’s airspace has been closed. The French government rejected the accusations producing a document signed by General Barmou, one of the leaders of the Niger coup, giving permission to France to fly the A400M over Niger.  (Al Arabiya, Politiko)
  • The United States sent an envoy Victoria Nuland, Acting Deputy Secretary of State who met with General Moussa Salaou Barmou, new army Chief of Staff. (BBC, Le Monde)

10 AUGUST

  • Niger’s military junta announced the appointment of a 21-person cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Lamine Zeine (Al Jazeera, The Cable)
  • France issued a communique announcing that it supports all the decisions taken by ECOWAS on Niger (France Diplomacy)
  • US announced that it supports ECOWAS decision on Niger (U.S. Department of State)

11 AUGUST

Thousands of Nigerians demonstrate in front of Niamey airbase where French military is stationed (CBC, France 24)

14 AUGUST

Niger’s junta announces that they would prosecute President Mohamed Bazoum on charges for ‘high treason’ and undermining the internal and external security of Niger. (DW)

15 AUGUST

Niger’s junta appointed Prime Minister Lamine Zeine visited Chad and spoke with Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno (DW, VOA)

19 AUGUST

  • Niger junta starts the recruitment civilians for a militia named “Volunteers for the Defence of Niger (VDN)” in response to a potential military intervention by ECOWAS (Anadolu Ajansı, Africanews) 
  • Niger coup leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani proposed a three-year transition of power on a televised address (Al Jazeera,TVC News Nigeria) 

25 AUGUST

Niger’s junta, in a letter from the Foreign affairs Ministry, declares French Ambassador to Niger Sylvain Itte persona non grata, ordering his withdrawal from Niger territory within 48 hours. (Reuters, The North Africa Post)

16 SEPTEMBER

Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali sign the Liptako-Gourma Charter, a tripartite agreement that will create the Alliance of Sahel States (AES),  to cooperate against insurgency and external aggression, agreeing that each signatory country will provide military assistance if one of them is attacked (Reuters, DW)

19 SEPTEMBER

The transitional legislature of Niger approved the government's plan to deploy troops in defense against potential military intervention by ECOWAS.

10 OCTOBER

The Biden Administration officially recognized Niger's July military takeover as a coup.

1 DECEMBER

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger recommended creation of a confederation- ‘Alliance of Sahel States as part of a long-term goal of uniting the West African neighbours within a federation.

  • During a two-day meeting in Bamako, the Foreign Ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger proposed the creation of a confederation as part of a long-term plan to unite the West African neighbours into a federation known as the 'Alliance of Sahel States.' They highlighted the potential for peace, stability, diplomatic strength, and economic development in a strengthened political alliance, recommending the confederation to the heads of states.

4 DECEMBER

  • The Russian delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Defense led by Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov met with the Niger military authorities in Niamey. At the end of the meeting, the two parties proceeded “to the signing of documents as part of the strengthening of military cooperation between the Republic of Niger and the Russian Federation”.
  • The military leadership in Niger has revoked the country's military collaboration with the European Union, rescinding its authorization for an EU initiative designed to enhance the capabilities of the security forces. Niger's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the government's decision to revoke the privileges and immunities provided for the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger, declaring there is not any legal obligations associated with the partnership.
    • Launched in 2012 at Niger's government request, the EU Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) Sahel Niger civilian mission aimed to foster a coordinated, sustainable, and human rights-focused strategy against terrorism and organized crime. Approximately 120 European personnel were deployed, with 16 EU Member States contributing. In 2016, an office was established in Agadez to extend its mandate to the northern region (EUCAP Sahel Niger).