Egypt follows with great concern events in Niger: Foreign Ministry

CAIRO – 27 July 2023: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement Thursday saying that Egypt was following with great concern events in Niger, asserting keenness on the country's security and stability.

The statement stressed the salience of maintaining the constitutional and democratic systems in Niger, as well as complete solidarity with Nigerian people. In that framework, Egypt called for prioritizing the higher interest of the homeland and preserving the safety of citizens.

Late on Wednesday, a group of 10 soldiers appeared on national TV declaring the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been held in the presidential palace hours before. The speech accused the regime of standing behind "the deteriorating security situation and bad governance," announcing that the move was the decision of defense and security forces.

Bazoum, 64, was elected in 2021, winning the second round of the presidential election, with 55.67 percent of the votes, against former president Mahamane Ousmane. He was a former parliamentarian, and minister of foreign affairs, then interior.