A coup d'état is currently taking place in #Niger. The presidential guard, led by General Tchiani, has arrested the president and defense minister.

"After [taking] the Presidential Palace, the #RepublicanGuard [a putschist military unit] is heading towards the government building. #President #Bazoum and the Minister of the Interior are being held by the mutineers. Several ministers have been arrested, including the Minister of Defense. General #OmarTchiani, head of the Presidential Guard and likely leader of this coup has not yet commented. French Army units [in their bases in Niger] are on alert." - #Tchad One, a Tchadian media outlet

Rumors spreading that Wagner PMC is supporting the pro-coup faction. Whilst these are, as yet, unconfirmed, it is worth noting that Wagner has recently provided the Presidential Guard - the main pro-coup military unit - with training.
With Wagner no longer being on the frontline of the SMO, it is possible that some of their forces have been deployed to Africa to fight French influence there; a long-term goal of the PMC (and of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and one they recently performed in the Central African Republic.

• Ministry buildings in Niamey are apparently being blockaded by military vehicles.
• National Guard is being deployed in Niger, the Army and National Guard is being deployed around the Presidential Palace, according to sources, the army and national guard are not supportive of the coup.
• Conflicting information from different sources the admins of RN are in contact with about whether forces supporting the Nigerien government will attack pro-coup troops if they don't back down.
• The Nigerien presidency has stated they will - the question is whether Nigerien forces on the ground share that sentiment
• Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has commented on the Nigerien coup, stating "ECOWAS will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger."
• The Nigerien Army has allegedly refused to side with the putschists and has issued an ultimatum to them.
• The putschists have apparently taken control of Nigerien national television.
• Heavy vehicles reportedly moving in to Niamey. An order to shelter in place for all residents has allegedly been delivered.

ECOWAS, on regards to the situation in Niger.

"Information filtering in from the Republic of Niger indicates some unpleasant developments around the country's highest political leadership.

It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.

The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.

I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.

I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.

As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President, Federal Republic of #Nigeria and Chairman, #ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government"

#Africa #MilitaryCoup #BreakinNews