Army announces takeover in Niger

NIAMEY, Niger - The army has suspended all institutions and closed all borders in the West African country of Niger, Colonel Amadou Abdramane said on national television, reported German news agency (dpa).

"Our defence and security forces... have decided to put an end to the regime that you know," Abdramane, flanked by nine men in uniform, read from a statement on national television channel RTN.

"All institutions" are suspended, Abdramane continued. All land and air borders are closed and a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am is in place until further notice.

Meanwhile, in Wellington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for the "immediate release" of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum shortly after the West African country's army announced a power takeover.

"We are calling for the immediate release of President Bazoum. We are calling for the immediate respect for the rule of law and for public safety," Blinken told journalists during a joint press conference with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

"We are gravely concerned about developments in Niger... I spoke with President Bazoum a few hours ago and made clear that we strongly support him as the democratically elected president of the country," Blinken told reporters, adding that Washington was "monitoring the situation very very closely".

Blinken said the US strongly condemns "any effort to seize power by force and to dispute and disrupt the constitutional order. Whether this constitutes a coup, technically or not, I can't say". - BERNAMA