Military personnel in Niger, who have been holding President Mohamed Bazoum since yesterday morning, announced his removal from office and the closing of borders.

Elements of the presidential guard, who are the leaders of the coup, closed all entrances to President Bazoum's residence and offices on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, talks between the two sides reached an impasse.

The African mediation, led by the African Economic Community (ECOWAS), has failed to persuade the coup leaders to release the ousted president.

ECOWAS called for the immediate and unconditional release of Bazoum, warning that all those involved bear the responsibility for his safety. The decision to close the borders means that African delegations seeking to address the situation will not be allowed to enter.

Niger, located in the Sahel region, has witnessed four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, along with several other attempts to seize power.

Bazoum previously held the position of Minister of the Interior and was close to former President Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms. Bazoum, who is considered one of the dwindling number of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region, was elected in 2021 to lead a country steeped in poverty and suffering from instability.

The transfer of power that took place in April 2021, after the elections in which Bazoum won following two rounds against former President Mohamed Ousmane, was considered the first peaceful transition of power in Niger since independence; however, the specter of Niger's troubled past continues to haunt it. A coup attempt occurred just days before Bazoum's inauguration but was thwarted.

A second attempt to overthrow Bazoum occurred in March of this year "while the president was in Turkey," according to a Nigerien official who confirmed the arrest of one person at that time.

Furthermore, the Nigerien army announced in a statement today, Thursday, its support for the coup forces to maintain the country's cohesion.

In recent hours, Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou stated that he has assumed the role of acting prime minister, calling for a general mobilization to resist the coup.

The presidency clarified on Twitter that the army and the national guard are ready to attack elements of the presidential guard involved in this capricious movement if they do not return to their barracks.

On the other hand, a journalist from the Agence France-Presse noted that no specific military apparatus had appeared in the area where the presidency is located, and traffic was normal there, with no sounds of gunfire heard.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Washington demands the "immediate release" of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, urging American citizens to avoid tense areas in Niger.

The U.S. State Department, in a statement, indicated that Secretary Blinken spoke with President Bazoum and affirmed the United States' steadfast support for him and for democracy in Niger.

The U.S. Secretary of State emphasized that American aid to Niger is contingent on upholding democracy, affirming that "the United States stands with the Nigerien people and regional and international partners in condemning this effort to seize power by force and overturn the constitutional order."

Blinken added that the strong economic and security partnership between the United States and Niger depends on the continuity of democratic governance and the respect for the rule of law and human rights.

In a related context, the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee expressed its deep concern about the recent events in Niger, and Committee Chairman Michael McCaul condemned the actions of those he described as "saboteurs trying to stir up trouble in the country (Niger).

McCaul affirmed that congressional members support the democratically elected government of President Bazoum, noting that Niger is "an important partner for the United States and that Congress will continue to monitor the situation closely, including the safety of American citizens present there.

The German Foreign Ministry also condemned the coup conditions in Niger and the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum from his position, indicating that they are closely monitoring all events and developments, and called on the presidential guard responsible for besieging "Bazoum" inside the presidential palace to release him immediately.

Saudi Arabia also expressed its complete rejection of all coup events occurring within Niger and attempts to oust President Bazoum in a statement, describing this coup as illegal attempts.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called for the swift release of Niger's president, who is besieged inside the presidential palace, to enable his restoration to his office, country, and constitutional responsibilities, clarifying that this will help preserve his health and safety.

Saudi Arabia noted that its demands come in favor of the Nigerien people and its sovereignty, to avoid sounding the alarm in the country alongside the security breakdown that leads to exaggerated losses of property and human life, in addition to the loss of national gains.