“The issue is being on debate on the sidelines of the summit; it will certainly be discussed somehow during the summit events that will take place on Thursday and Friday. It is impossible to ignore such events on the African continent,” Peskov told Sputnik.

Late on Wednesday, July 26, a group of officers from Niger’s security and defense forces, integrated into the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (NCSP), announced Bazoum’s dismissal, claiming “the deterioration of security and poor economic and social governance.”

Niger’s Army Spokesman, Colonel Major Amadou Adramane, announced on national television the suspension of the other branches of Government, the closure of land and air borders, and the imposition of a curfew nationwide until further notice.

The new authorities reaffirmed their adherence to all of Niger’s international commitments; they asked external partners not to interfere in the management of State affairs by the defense and security forces.

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