Presidential guards in Niger have seized President Mohamed Bazoum and blockaded his residence, as well as key ministries, sources say.
The African Union, the UN, the EU, and the United States have all condemned their actions.
President Bazoum is a key western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa.
Crowds in the capital, Niamey, have taken to the streets in support of the president.
The city has been mostly peaceful, although soldiers behind the coup attempt fired shots in an attempt to break up the protests.
Earlier on Wednesday, the president’s office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their “anti-republican” efforts.
One unnamed source told AFP the move was a “fit of temper” by troops.
Reports had said the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former leaders were involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating, but it is not clear if those talks are still taking place.
A source cited by AFP as being close to the president said that the talks had broken down and that the guards, who have refused to release the president, had been issued an ultimatum by the army.
Source: BBC
