Niger coup: General Tchiani declared new leader

General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who often goes by "Omar," appeared on state television as the leader of the soldiers who staged the coup that began on Wednesday.

US' Blinken calls Bazoum again to offer 'unflagging' support

The US State Department said that Antony Blinken had called Niger's ousted President Mohamed Barzoum for the second time in as many days. 

Blinken offered Bazoum Washington's "unflagging support," department spokesman Matt Miller said in a statement, while warning those detaining him that "hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance" was at risk. 

The US secretary of state made the call while wrapping up a Pacific tour spanning several countries. 

Blinken also "praised Bazoum's role in promoting security not only in Niger but the wider West Africa region," and said Washington would keep working to "ensure the full restoration of constitutional order and democratic rule in Niger."

He also discussed the developing situation in Niger with former Nigerien leader Mahmadou Issoufou, expressing concern over Bazoum's continued detention, and with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

France and the US are both heavily involved in Niger, supporting its fight against jihadist insurgents. Niamey's importance had increased since coups in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, struggling to contain the same militants in the tri-border area, led to the exit of Western forces and the entry of mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group in recent years. 

UN Security Council members express 'concern' after coup

The United Nations Security Council issued a statement on Friday strongly condemning "the efforts to unconstitutionally change the legitimate government" of Niger. 

The 15 members, in a statement agreed by consensus, called for the immediate and unconditional release of President Mohamed Bazoum. 

The council also stressed the need to protect Bazoum, his family and members of his government. 

"The members of the Security Council expressed concern over the negative impact of unconstitutional changes of government in the region, increase in terrorist activities and the dire socio-economic situation," the statement read. 

From Africa, Gabon, Ghana and Mozambique are currently among the 10 rotating non-permanent members of the Council. 

It was a relatively rare Security Council session, by recent standards, where consensus agreement was possible. Russia's permanent membership and effective veto power has paralyzed the body on most matters pertaining to the conflict in Ukraine.