Niger's ousted leader President Mohamed Bazoum has urged the US and the entire international community to help restore constitutional order after last week's coup. In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, Mr. Bazoum warned the coup, if it succeeded, would have devastating consequences for the country, the region and the entire world. Mr. Bazoum also warned of the coup leaders' links to the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates elsewhere in the region and has been seen by many as exercising a malign influence in Niger.

Unrest has erupted in the West African state since he was overthrown. Yesterday, the coup leaders announced they were withdrawing the country's ambassadors from France, the US, Nigeria and Togo. Only hours before, Niger's ambassador to the US, Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, said that the junta should come to reason and realise that this affair cannot succeed. Niger is a significant uranium producer, a fuel that is vital for nuclear power and lies on a key migration route to North Africa and the Mediterranean.