Niger soldiers declare coup on national TV - BBC

YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. Soldiers in the West African country of Niger have announced a coup on national TV, BBC reports.

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday.

He was promised Washington's "unwavering support" in a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also said he had spoken to the president and offered the UN's full support.

In the TV announcement on Wednesday, Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, alongside nine other uniformed soldiers behind him, said: "We, the defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you know.

"This follows the continuing deterioration of the security situation, and poor economic and social governance."

"All external partners are asked not to interfere," he went on. "Land and air borders are closed until the situation has stabilised."

Col Maj Abdramane said the soldiers were acting for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

After the soldiers' TV announcement Blinken called for the release of President Bazoum.

He told a news conference in New Zealand that "what it clearly constitutes is an effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution".