According to a report, Mohamed Bazoum the president of Niger has been confined to his residence following a coup in Africa’s turbulent Sahel region. Reportedly, the u.s. secretary of state has condemned the action, and France has called for a return to former institutions.
According to the report, the landlocked country is one of the world’s poorest, and since an end to official french colonialism in 1960, it has experienced four coups as well as numerous other attempts including two against Mr Bazoum, one of a dwindling group of pro western leaders in the Sahel. Reportedly, coups have also occurred in Mali and Burkina Faso where French troops have been withdrawn. According to the report, u.n. missions in Niger have been suspended.