Heavy gunfire suspected to be a possible coup attempt has been reported in Niger’s presidential palace area early Wednesday.
The incident reported by many eye witnesses went on for half-an-hour and comes two days ahead of the swearing-in of president-elect Mohamed Bazoum.
Niger’s presidential guards are reported to have foiled the operation although details remain vague as of now.
There have been growing attacks by Islamist militants, and political tensions following Mohammed Bazoum’s victory in the country’s February presidential election runoff.
Former president Mahamane Ousmane, who lost in the runoff, has rejected the results, and alleged fraud.
Niger has suffered numerous coups in its history, most recently that of February 2010 which toppled then President Mamadou Tandja.
