THE general who led a coup in Niger defended the takeover on state television today and asked for support from the nation and international partners.

Concerns are growing that the political crisis could set back the country’s fight against jihadists and increase Russia’s influence in west Africa.

Various factions of Niger’s military have reportedly wrangled for control since members of the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France.

As General Abdourahmane Tchiani spoke, state TV identified him as the leader of the group of soldiers who said they staged the coup, and his appearance seemed to be an effort to show he was in charge.

Niger is seen as the last reliable partner for the West in efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africa’s Sahel region. 

France has 1,500 soldiers in the country who conduct joint operations with the Nigeriens, and the United States and other European countries have helped train the nation’s troops.

Extremists in Niger have carried out attacks on civilians and military personnel, but the overall security situation is not as dire as in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.

Both countries have ousted the French military from the territories. 

Mali has turned to the Russian private military group Wagner, and it is believed the mercenaries will soon be in Burkina Faso. There are now concerns Niger could follow suit.

“We can no longer continue with the same approaches proposed so far, at the risk of witnessing the gradual and inevitable demise of our country,” General Tchiani, who also goes by Omar Tchiani, said in the address. 

“That is why we decided to intervene and take responsibility.”

“I ask the technical and financial partners who are friends of Niger to understand the specific situation of our country in order to provide it with all the support necessary to enable it to meet the challenges,” he said.

President Bazoum has not resigned and he defiantly tweeted from detention on Thursday that democracy would prevail. 

It is not clear who enjoys the support of most of the population, but several hundred people gathered in the capital, Niamey, that day and chanted support for Wagner while waving Russian flags.

“We’re fed up,” said Omar Issaka, one of the protesters. “We are tired of being targeted by the men in the bush … We’re going to collaborate with Russia now.”