Niger government says 'attempted coup' targeted democracy

Niger's government said on Wednesday an "attempted coup" by soldiers had targeted the country's democracy two days before President Mohamed Bazoum's inauguration.

"On the night of March 30-31, an attempted coup was thwarted," it said in a statement, condemning "this cowardly and regressive act which sought to threaten democracy and the state of law."

Read | Gunfire heard near presidency in Niger capital, say residents

A security source said earlier that elite troops had prevented a group of soldiers overnight from reaching the presidential palace in the capital Niamey, and local residents reported gunfire.