General Abdourahmane Tchiani has declared himself the leader of a transitional government in Niger, Al Jazeera reports.
Tchiani made the announcement on state television, after overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum two days ago.
He justified the intervention as necessary to prevent the country’s “gradual and inevitable demise” and criticized Bazoum for failing to bring stability.
This is the fifth successful coup in Niger since the country gained independence from France.