Niamey: A day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup due to the country of Niger's deteriorating security situation, the president defiantly declared Thursday that democracy would prevail.

It remained unclear who was in charge of the country and which side the majority might support as many people in Niamey, the capital, went about their daily lives. The army command tweeted that it would support the coup in order to prevent a "murderous confrontation" that might result in a "bloodbath." The veracity of the statement could not be verified.

President Mohamed Bazoum, a key ally of the West who was elected in 2021 during Niger's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France, appeared to have the support of several political parties at the time.

Also Read: Netflix to move on with AI Technicality Roles averse to Hollywood Strike

"The hard-earned successes will be preserved. All Nigerians who value freedom and democracy will take care of it, Bazoum tweeted early on Thursday.

On the news channel France 24, Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou made a similar appeal, urging "all Nigerien democratic patriots to stand up as one to say no to this factious action."

He stated that negotiations were in progress and demanded the president's immediate release. President Patrice Talon of Benin was assigned to head mediation efforts by the regional organisation known as the Economic Community of West African States.

In the West's fight against militants affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Daesh organisation in Africa's Sahel region, Bazoum is a crucial ally. Although extremists in Niger have attacked civilians and military personnel, the overall security situation there is not as bad as it is in nearby countries.

Also Read: Russian President Putin Vows to Provide Free Grain to Africa in Summit Address

Russia and the West have competed for sway in the region's major arena for the fight against extremism.
Many believed that Bazoum represented the West's last chance for cooperation in the Sahel after Mali rejected the support of its former colonial power France in favour of the Russian mercenary group Wagner. It appears that Wagner is also gaining ground in Burkina Faso.

Aid from Western nations has poured into Niger, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country in March in an effort to forge closer ties. Currently, American, French, and Italian troops are stationed there to train the local army, and France also engages in joint operations.

However, the danger to Bazoum has sparked worries that Niger might also turn against the West.
Several hundred people gathered in the capital on Thursday, waving Russian flags and chanting "Wagner, Wagner, Wagner." Later, they started tossing rocks at a politician's car that was passing by.
Protesters had expressed their support for Bazoum the day before.

Blinken stated on Thursday that he had spoken with the president and that he had "made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country," underscoring the significance of Niger to the West.

While in New Zealand, Blinken reiterated the US's condemnation of the mutiny and stated that his team was in constant contact with representatives from France and Africa.
 Members of the presidential guard surrounded Bazoum's home on Wednesday morning and took him into custody.

The mutinous soldiers, who identify as the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, announced their takeover on state television, citing deteriorating security and subpar economic and social governance in the 25 million-person country. They claimed to have closed all borders, suspended all institutions, and dissolved the constitution.

Niger analysts claim that General Tchiani, the head of the presidential guard, who the president had intended to remove from his position, was in charge of the coup attempt.

The president has not and will not resign, and he is safe in his home, according to a close friend of the president who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the situation.

A number of political parties declared their support for him on Wednesday, labelling the coup attempt as "suicidal and anti-Republican madness."
The "country, faced with insecurity, terrorism, and the challenges of underdevelopment, cannot afford to be distracted," they declared.

While a coup is always a possibility in the face of the threat from extremists, Bazoum claimed that Niger had the situation under control in an interview with the Associated Press in December. We are managing our own situation well, he said.

The attempted takeover was harshly condemned by the international community.

Also Read: Emergency in Punjab as Monsoon Floods Trigger Mass Exodus: Residents Seek Higher Ground

In a tweet, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna expressed France's concern and close monitoring of the situation regarding the events in Niger. The minister stated that France "strongly condemns any attempt to take power by force."

Volker Türk, the head of the UN Human Rights Commission, demanded Bazoum's release and stated that "all efforts must be made to restore constitutional order and the rule of law."

Russia demanded the president's release and stated that it wanted to see "a swift resolution of this internal political crisis," according to Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry