Niger's Presidential Palace Blockaded by Soldiers, Security Sources Report

Soldiers from Niger's presidential guard have blockaded the presidential palace in Niamey, blocking access to the palace and nearby ministries. It is unclear if President Mohamed Bazoum is inside. This incident resembles previous military takeovers in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which were driven by frustrations over the failure to address the Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region. Niger is a key ally to Western powers in the fight against the insurgency, and France has previously deployed troops to the country. Bazoum's election marked the first democratic transition of power in Niger, a country that has experienced multiple military coups since gaining independence from France in 1960.