In Niger, the army has seized power in a coup d’état. President Mamadou Tandja has been taken prisoner and is being held at barracks outside the capital Niamey.

The army has appointed officer Salou Djibo as leader of the new military government. A curfew has been imposed and borders are closed.

On Thursday afternoon gunfights broke out around the presidential palace in the capital. Eyewitnesses reported that at least three soldiers were killed and ten injured soldiers taken to hospital.

President Tandja came under international and national criticism last year after holding a controversial referendum to remain in power for an extended period. The president had already served two five-year terms, while the constitution only allows a president to remain in office for 10 years. He also dissolved parliament and the Constitutional Court.

As a result the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Niger as a member state and Niger became internationally isolated.