Niger's presidential guard detains Mohamed Bazoum in military coup

Members of Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum at the presidential palace on 26 July 2023. Officers later appeared on state television, announced that they had ended the existing regime and suspended institutions, and formed a National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the guard, subsequently presented himself as leader of the council. The officers cited insecurity and economic governance. Those claims explain the coup makers' justification but do not provide constitutional authority to remove an elected government.

Bazoum said he remained the legitimate president and was held with members of his family. The African Union, Economic Community of West African States and many foreign governments condemned the takeover. Recognition, effective control and legal legitimacy remained separate questions as the junta took command of state institutions.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions and threatened possible force while pursuing diplomacy. Public debate over foreign military presence, uranium and regional security expanded, but no single external factor is established as the cause of every participant's action.

The Niger timeline fixes the detention and officers' seizure of authority on 26 July. Later demonstrations, diplomatic ultimatums and withdrawal of foreign forces belong to follow-up records. It avoids calling every member of Niger's armed forces a coup participant and assigns the action to the guard and officers documented in the announcement.