Calm after Niger coup

Niger’s new leadership is said to be led by little- known platoon commander Salou Djibo.

Self-named the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, the junta have so far made no mention of a timetable for elections since Thursday’s coup which saw President Mamadou Tandja deposed during a gunbattle.

The whereabouts of Tandja and his government remain obscure, but it is thought they may be being held at a military barracks near the capital Niamey.

The African Union, EU and former colonial ruler France have all condemned the coup as has UN chief Ban Ki-moon who has called on the West African nation’s new leaders to make good on promises to restore constitutional order.

Earlier, it was announced that a curfew and border closures were to be lifted. Markets, schools and banks were also open on Friday with only a light military presence on the streets.

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