Niger’s putsch is bad for the country—and for the region

More than 48 hours after soldiers began holding President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger hostage inside his presidential palace in Niamey, the capital, and some 36 hours after a group of soldiers went on television to , the coup leader finally emerged: General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who also uses Omar as his first name. Formerly tasked as leader of the presidential guard with protecting Mr Bazoum, the double-dealing general now heads the junta and proclaims himself head of state.