February 18, 2010 | Niger's President Mamadou Tandja has been captured by mutinous troops after a coup in the west African uranium exporter that left at least three soldiers dead.
Saharareporters has learned that a bloody coup d'etat is in progress in the republic of Niger where the president, Mamadou Tanja, recently extended his tenure in defiance of public opinion. Sources at the ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja told our reporters that they are yet to get a full picture of the insurrection against the Nigerien government as the time of filing this report.
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In Niger, President Mamadou Tandja and his cabinet are being held prisoner by soldiers after a coup détat.
This afternoon gunfights broke out around the presidential palace in the Nigerien capital Niamey. Eye witnesses say at least three soldiers were killed and the injured were brought to hospitals.
President Tandja came under international and national criticism last year after holding a controversial referendum to remain in power for longer. The president had already served two five-year terms, while the constitution only allows a president to remain in office of 10 years. He also dissolved parliament and the Constitutional Court.
As a result the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Niger as a member state and Niger became internationally isolated.
February 19, 2010 | Calm after coup in Niger
The streets of Niamey, Niger's capital city, are reported to be calm, a day after a military coup deposed the president.
The West African nations' new military rulers have promised early elections and a return to democracy.
The takeover has been widely condemned by other African states.
Al Jazeera's Owen Fay reports.
News Analysis -Niger coup Detat-19-Feb-2010
