Sam Mednick, Associated Press
Various factions of Niger’s military are said to be wrangling for power two days after members of the presidential guard staged a coup.
Wednesday’s move has sparked political chaos which could set back the country’s fight against jihadists and increase Russia’s influence in West Africa.
State television has declared General Abdourahmane Tchiani the leader of the mutinous soldiers who ousted democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum.
Gen Tchiani, who goes by Omar, addressed the nation on Friday.
He said the country needed to change course to avoid “gradual and inevitable demise” so he and others decided to intervene.
As he spoke, state TV identified him as the leader of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the group of soldiers who said they staged the takeover.
A delegation from neighbouring Nigeria left shortly after arriving and the president of Berin, nominated as a mediator by a regional body, has not arrived.
An analyst who has spoken to participants in the talks said the presidential guard is negotiating with the army about who should be in charge.
A western military official in Niger confirmed the military factions are believed to be negotiating and said the situation remains tense and fighting could erupt.
Speaking in Papua New Guinea, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the coup as “completely illegitimate and profoundly dangerous for the Nigeriens, Niger and the whole region”.
He said he has spoken repeatedly with Mr Bazoum and the detained leader is in good health.
French foreign minister Catherine Colonna told French media there is still time to end what she described as an “attempted coup”.
