Who is Omar Tchiani, who is accused of plotting a coup in Niger? General Omar Tchiani, the head of the presidential guard, was cited in num...
Who is Omar Tchiani, who is accused of plotting a coup in Niger?
General Omar Tchiani, the head of the presidential guard, was cited in numerous local publications as having participated in the coup when Mohamed Bazoum, the president of Niger, was overthrown on Wednesday.
The local authorities created an immediate intervention strategy to try to avert a coup when members of the elite unit led by Tchiani detained Bazoum in the presidential palace early on Wednesday morning.
A few hours later, a gang of troops in West Africa claimed to have taken control of the government on local television.
Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane made the announcement while being flanked by nine other khaki-clad men on national television. "The security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime you are used to," he stated.
A curfew has been put in place, the national and international borders have been closed, and all government institution activities have been suspended, according to Abdramane.
Tchiani wasn't one of the speakers on television, but he was seen to have a significant influence on Wednesday's events behind the scenes.
Tchiani: who is he?
The identity of the general is unknown, and Abdourahmane is reportedly giving a speech on television, according to reports.
Tchiani is from the Tillaberi region of western Niger, where troops are frequently recruited, claims a report from the AP news agency.
He has been in charge of the presidential palace's security forces since 2015 and served as Mahamadou Issoufou's right-hand man during his time as president from 2011 to 2021.
It is surprising because he was in charge of the army that prevented a military force from seizing the presidential palace in March 2021, just a few days before Bazoum took office.
Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Niger has not experienced a smooth democratic transition of power until the election of Bazoum. Bazoum appointed the general to lead the presidential guard, a specialised unit made up of around 2,000 soldiers, soon after assuming office.
Although the motivation behind the coup remains a mystery, there are rumours that the ousted leader wanted to free Tchiani a few days ago.
There are also rumours that the general's 62 years old age or the purported unhappiness with some of the soldiers, particularly the presidential palace guards, may be to blame for this.
RFI is unable to directly verify these presumptions.
Another explanation could be that Bazoum wants to reform his government in order to set it apart from Issoufou's rule by altering the presidential guard system, including replacing Tchiani.
Bazoum and the general had a disagreement on Wednesday after the Tchiani soldiers had taken him into custody, but they were unable to come to a resolution.
RFI is unable to confirm local sources that indicate that Tchiani will soon be named the interim military committee's leader.
We won't consent to this method.
Meanwhile, as Thursday morning's coup news spread, some lawmakers urged the populace to reject the military occupation.
Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou stated in an interview with France 24 that "there was a coup attempt, but of course, we will not accept it."
We urge everyone who cares deeply about Niger's democracy to speak out against this partisan activity, which has held our nation back for many years and is impeding its growth. Additionally, he demanded the president's unconditional release.
The president has not resigned and will not quit, according to a person close to him, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak on the subject. They also said that the president is in good health. inside his home.
"The achievements' reputation will be preserved. Every Nigerian who supports the growth of democracy and freedom will see it, according to the tweet that Bazoum sent on Twitter on Thursday morning.
Although it is unknown what level of assistance the coup leaders had from other security services, it is becoming increasingly obvious that Bazoum was supported by the community and political parties. The alliance of political organisations in Niger stated that the current scenario was extremely hazardous and against the democratic system in a statement released on Wednesday.
"Our country, facing terrorism, insecurity, and the challenges of non-development, cannot accept this new system," he declared.