Military coup in Niger, US demands immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum
The United States has condemned the forceful ouster of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum by troops. The United States calls for the immediate release of Mohamed Bazoum, saying that we strongly support a democratically elected president and condemn in the strongest terms any attempt to seize power by force and subvert the constitutional order.
Staff Editor 
The United States has condemned the forceful ouster of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum by troops. The US calls for the "immediate release" of Mohamed Bazoum, saying we strongly support the democratically elected president, and condemn in the strongest terms any attempt to seize power by force and subvert the constitutional order.
America condemned the action of the army
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement on Wednesday (local time), "The United States is deeply concerned about the development in Niger. We strongly support a democratically elected president, Condemn in the strongest terms any attempt to occupy and disrupt constitutional order. We call for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and respect for the rule of law and public security."
"We strongly condemn today's actions by the Economic Community of West African States. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with the US Embassy in Niamey," he added. Earlier, late on 26 July, security forces captured Niger.
Soldiers took the president hostage
Niger's president said in a statement on Wednesday that President Mohamed Bazoum has been taken hostage in his presidential palace. Some members of the Presidential Guard started an anti-republican agitation "in vain", and the army and the National Guard prepared to attack those involved in "mood swings" if the agitation did not end.
The statement also said that President Bazoum and his family were well, with security sources saying that the presidential guards are holding Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey.
Employees were not allowed inside the building
According to the President and security officials, ministries near the Rashtrapati Bhavan have also been cordoned off, making it impossible for the building's staff to enter their workplaces. However, calm prevailed in other areas of Niamey.
According to an official of the President, all the employees of Rashtrapati Bhavan were not able to reach their respective offices. Bazoum and his family are safe, Niger's presidential office said in a statement on Wednesday, although it was not immediately clear if they were inside, and what was happening inside.
The African Commission also condemned
The African Union Commission has also "strongly" condemned the attempt by troops to remove the president by force and the hostage-taking.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc of 15 West African countries, called for Bazoum's immediate and unconditional release and warned that all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted, "I condemn in the strongest terms any attempt to seize power by force and undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger. @UN stands with the government and people of Niger."
There have been four coups
Niger's President Bazoum was democratically elected in the year 2021. Niger is considered a close ally of France and other Western countries. There have been four coup d'états in Niger since independence from France in 1960. Apart from this, coup attempts have also been made several times.
