This comes after President Mohamed Bazoum was reportedly detained by members of the presidential guard, according to a source close to him.

"Informed of an attempt by certain members of the military to undermine the stability of democratic & republican institutions in #Niger, tantamount to an attempted coup d'état, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemns such actions," Faki wrote on Twitter.

On Wednesday morning, reports emerged that soldiers had surrounded the presidential palace in Niger and had also blockaded several ministries in the capital city, Niamey.

There were no reports of gunfire, and the intentions behind the blockade were not immediately clear; it was uncertain whether the presidential guard was trying to take control of the government.

In response to the situation, the president's office tweeted that the guards' attempt to garner military support for their "anti-republican" actions had been unsuccessful.

“The army and the national guard are ready to attack the elements of the GP (Presidential Guard) involved in this mood swing if they do not return to better feelings", said the presidency, affirming that "the President of the Republic and his family are doing well”.

President Mohamed Bazoum was reported to be at his residence with his family, as per local sources. (ILKHA)