00:00 Supporters of Niger`s President Mohamed Bazoum took to the streets of the capital Niamey
00:06 on Wednesday, shouting "No coup d`etat" after members of the presidential guard detained
00:10 the democratically elected leader, triggering a standoff with the army.
00:15 Hours after the apparent coup, protesters tried to approach the presidential palace
00:19 where Bazoum was being held, but dispersed when guards fired warning shots at the crowd.
00:27 The African Union, France, the European Union and the U.S. have all condemned the action
00:31 and called for the release of the president and his family.
00:37 Soldiers from Niger claiming to represent defense and security forces announced on national
00:41 television they had overthrown the government, dissolved the constitution and closed the
00:46 borders.
00:47 Neighboring Benin`s president is reportedly en route to mediate as a representative of
00:51 the West African economic bloc, ECOWAS.
00:53 "Even when what is not acceptable is done, we must be able to correct it in peace.
01:01 This is our first option.
01:04 We think it will be successful."
01:09 President Bazoum is one of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region.
01:14 He was elected two years ago in the nation`s first peaceful democratic transfer of power
01:18 since its independence from France in 1960.
01:21 Bazoum has taken the helm of a country burdened by poverty and a history of chronic turmoil.
01:26 Threat to his leadership could undermine the West`s efforts to stabilize the region.
01:30 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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