Anniversary of the CNSP Coup in Niger Date in the current year: July 26, 2025

The Republic of Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa, has had a tumultuous history since gaining independence from France in 1960, experiencing five coups and four periods of military rule. The first coup overthrew Niger’s first postcolonial government in 1974. The second ousted the country’s first democratically elected president in 1996. The third coup resulted in the assassination of President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara in 1999. The fourth coup ousted President Mamadou Tandja in 2010.

Following the fourth coup, a free and fair presidential election was held in 2011, resulting in Mahamadou Issoufou’s victory. Issoufou served two terms and did not seek a third. Mohamed Bazoum succeeded him after winning the 2020–21 presidential election and being inaugurated on April 2, 2021.

However, on July 26, 2023, Bazoum, along with his wife and son, was detained at the presidential palace by his own presidential guard in a coup led by guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani. That evening, Air Force Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane addressed the nation on national television and announced the formation of a new government: the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

The next day, all political party activities in Niger were suspended until further notice. The Nigerian Armed Forces officially supported the coup and revoked all military cooperation agreements with France that had a significant military presence in Niger. On July 28, Tchiani proclaimed himself president of the CNSP and the new leader of Niger.

The coup was condemned by the international community, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union, the African Union, the United Nations, the United States, and France. However, the coup also received support from Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and the Russian private military company, the Wagner Group.

ECOWAS and Western nations responded to the coup by cutting off foreign aid and imposing sanctions on Niger. The coup resulted in border closures, rising inflation, an exacerbation of the existing humanitarian crisis in Niger, an increase in insecurity and jihadist violence in the region, and human rights violations. Nigeria cut off 70% of Niger’s electricity imports, causing the power supply to drop to 25–50% of demand. However, ECOWAS eventually lifted sanctions in 2024.

The coup caused a geopolitical shift in West Africa. Niger expelled French and U.S. troops, invited the Wagner Group in their stead, and aligned itself with Burkina Faso and Mali to form the anti-Western Confederation of Sahel States.

In 2024, Niger’s military junta declared the anniversary of the 2023 coup an annual national holiday. The first anniversary celebration was held at a stadium in Niamey, the capital of Niger.