Embassy: Ongoing coup attempt taking place in Niger

Embassy: Ongoing coup attempt taking place in Niger

www.cnn.com

- An "ongoing attempted coup d'état" was taking place Thursday in the Republic of Niger, according to the Niger Embassy in London, England. Details remain sparse, but sporadic gunshots have continued to be heard in and around the presidential palace for some time," said a statement from the embassy."

"Indications are, it could be an attempted coup," Assistant U.S. Secretary of State P.J. Crowley told reporters. There was evidently an attempt at assassination of President Tandja.This is a difficult situation," Crowley said. "President Tandja has been trying to extend his mandate in office." The United States has expressed concern about that, he said, and "that may well have been ... an act on his behalf that precipitated the act today."

While the United States does not condone violence, "clearly we think this underscores that Niger needs to move ahead with the elections and the formation of a new government."

(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 18-2-2010 by NightGypsy]

This story was just released by CNN. I don't know the history of this Nigerian president, but the statements from our assistant Secretary of State Crowley wreak of us sticking our nose where it doesn't belong again. I wonder how many of these "military" people involved in this coup are U.S. intelligence.

Does anyone know any background on this that may shed some light for those of us not up to speed on Nigerian government and our relations with them?

www.cnn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

It seems the coup has been successful:

The military leaders of the coup later announced they had suspended the country's constitution and dissolved all state institutions.

from Al Jazeera


By the way: Niger is at the north of Nigeria Niger Geography

This is VERY interesting because Niger is an important uranium producer.