Three days after announcing the dismissal of President Bazoum Mohamed, the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP) appointed this Friday, July 28, 2023, General Abdourahmane Tchiani as head of the military junta now in command of Niger. Until then boss of the Presidential Guard, a position he had held since 2011, the new strong man of the country immediately addressed the nation in a message to motivate the reasons which led the defense and security forces ( FDS) to intervene again on the political scene of the country by putting an end to the normal course of the democratic process and to violate the constitutional order.
In the message to the nation that he sent this Friday around noon, [Niamey time], the head of the junta recalled the main reasons that motivated the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) to “take their responsibilities”. As already announced by the CNSP spokesman during the declaration of the takeover of Wednesday July 26, it is a question of “the deterioration of the security situation” as well as “poor political, economic and social”.
It is particularly the management of security management which seems to have pushed the junta to take power, according to the explanations of General Abdourahmane Tchiani who, on this question, questioned the “political discourse” of the government which, according to him, denied “the harsh reality with its share of dead, displaced, humiliation and frustration”, and this, he added, despite calls to order from military leaders. The former head of the presidential guard, among other things, denounced certain decisions taken by the former regime, in particular “the release of armed terrorist leaders” as well as “the lack of coordination” with Mali and Burkina, countries that of Niger who, according to him, face the same security threats.
According to the President of the CNSP, “The current security approach has not made it possible to secure the country despite the heavy sacrifices made by Nigeriens and the appreciable and appreciated support of our external partners”. And for General Abdourahamane Tchiani, it is out of the question to “continue like this with the same approach, the same actors and the same results”.
In his speech, the country’s new strongman reaffirmed the CNSP’s desire “to respect all international commitments”. Also, he continued, “The Council, through my voice, asks the partners and friends of Niger, at this crucial stage in the life of our country, to trust our defense and security forces, guarantors of national unity, the integrity of the territory and the superior interests of our nation”.
It should be noted that before this first speech by the now Head of State of Niger, the members of the junta met and posed for the first official photo on which we recognize well-known figures, in particular Major General Salifou Modi , former Chief of Staff of the Army, or the well-known Colonel-Major Djibrilla Himadou, current President of the Nigerian Football Federation (FENIFOOT). These two senior officers of the Nigerien army who took the previous coups of 2010 (CSRD of General Salou Djibo), 1999 (CRN of Commander Mallam Wanké) as well as 1996 (CSN of General Ibrahim Baré Mainassara).
