Gunfire has erupted in Niger’s capital near the presidential palace, prompting fears of a coup attempt and further instability just days before the country’s new president is due to be sworn into office.
The shooting began about 3am on Wednesday and went on for more than 15 minutes, residents of Niamey said, but calm returned to the city afterward.
The US embassy in Niamey put out a security alert saying it would be closed on Wednesday “due to gunshots heard near our neighbourhood”.
The gunfire comes just two days before new President Mohamed Bazoum’s inauguration on Friday and as Niger faces a growing threat from Islamic extremists near its troubled border with Mali.