Niger

NIAMEY, July 31 (Reuters) - The junta that seized power in Niger last week detained three more senior politicians from the ousted government on Monday, their party said, in defiance of international calls to restore democratic rule.

Following days of turmoil, the International Monetary Fund said that it was closely monitoring developments in Niger. But the IMF has not yet taken any specific actions in response to the coup.

It has yet to disburse a $131.5 million loan to Niger that was approved on July 5, it added.

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Thousands of people backing the coup in Niger marched through the streets of the capital denouncing France, the country’s former colonial power, waving Russian flags, and setting a door at the French Embassy ablaze on Sunday before the army broke up the crowd.

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Mutinous soldiers who staged a coup in Niger declared their leader the new head of state on Friday, hours after the general asked for national and international support despite rising concerns that the political crisis could hinder the nation’s fight against jihadists and boost Russia’s influence in West Africa.

Spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said on state television that the constitution was suspended and Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani was in charge.

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — The African Union has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the country’s democratically elected government just as the coup leaders met with senior civil servants to discuss how they would run the country and as the U.S. and the European Union threatened sanctions against the regime.

NIAMEY, July 28 (Xinhua) -- General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of Niger's presidential guard, has been named "president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland" following a military takeover, state television reported Friday.

Soldiers in Niger have overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, the country's Defense and Security Forces (FDS) said in a press release broadcast on state television late on Wednesday, hours after the president was allegedly held hostage.

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — The general who led a coup in Niger took to state television Friday to ask for support for the takeover, two days after members of the military detained the democratically elected president and set off political chaos that could set back the nation’s fight against jihadists and increase Russia’s influence in West Africa.

As Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani spoke, Niger state television identified him as the leader of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the group of soldiers who said they staged the coup.

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Mutinous soldiers claimed to have overthrown Niger’s democratically elected president, announcing on state television late Wednesday that they have put an end to the government over the African country’s deteriorating security.

The soldiers said all institutions had been suspended and security forces were managing the situation. The mutineers urged external partners not to interfere.

NIAMEY, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Niger's presidential guard imposed a blockade on the presidency since 10 p.m., local time, Tuesday, a presidency staff told Xinhua Wednesday.

"Since yesterday, no one has left; no one has returned to the presidency. At the moment, nobody knows where President Mohamed Bazoum is," said the same source, who was not identified.

An official of Niger's security department told Xinhua in a telephone interview that Bazoum has spoken to other members of his party, saying that "freedom will be restored soon."

NIAMEY, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from heavy downpours in Niger since June has risen to 192, said the country's General Directorate of Civil Protection in a briefing to the press Friday.

Apart from the 192 fatalities, 263,671 people were adversely affected, including 200 injuries, due to torrential rains, said Niger's General Directorate of Civil Protection in the briefing in Niamey, the capital of Niger.

The tragedies occurred as a result of drowning or the collapse of their habitats, mostly built from clay.

NIAMEY, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The Nigerian military has killed and wounded children in an airstrike in neighbouring Niger, a local governor in Niger, state television and an aid agency said on Sunday, although Nigeria's armed forces said they were still investigating.

The attack took place in the village of Nachadé in the region of Maradi, Niger, on Friday, a few kilometres from the border with Nigeria, said Chaibou Aboubacar, the governor of Maradi. He said seven children were killed and five wounded.