Attempted coup underway in Niger, regional leaders say, with reports guards are holding president

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum has reportedly been seized by members of the presidential guard, leading to a protest in the capital and triggering warnings from regional powers a coup is underway.

The country's interior minister, Hamadou Souley, was arrested by the presidential guard on Wednesday morning local time and is being held in the presidential palace in the capital Niamey along with Bazoum, a journalist on the ground, who spoke to the minister, confirmed to CNN.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said there had been an "attempt to seize power by force" in the West African country, in a statement on Wednesday.

"ECOWAS condemns in the strongest terms the attempt to seize power by force and calls on the coup plotters to free the democratically-elected President of the Republic immediately and without any condition," the bloc added.

Niger's presidential complex was sealed off Wednesday, according to the journalist.

They said heavily armed members of the Presidential Guard began assembling outside the Presidential Palace early on Wednesday morning. The journalist observed roughly twenty members of the Presidential Guard outside the palace complex later in the day.

A statement on the presidency's social media channels said President Mohamed Bazoum is "doing well" and the army and national guard were "ready to attack the elements of the GP [Presidential Guard] involved in this fit of anger if they do not return to their better senses." CNN cannot verify the statement.

The country's Presidential Guard and government authorities are currently in discussion, a source close to the president told CNN. The source did not reveal what exactly was being discussed.

CNN has reached out to the AFRICOM (United States Africa Command), US and French embassies in Niger.

Hundreds of protesters later gathered in the capital Niamey in support of Bazoum, a journalist on the ground told CNN. Presidential guards to fired "warning shots" to block their advance when protesters were about 300 meters (984 feet) from the presidential palace, they said, adding that they didn't witness any injuries.

The journalist said up to 400 protesters were seen later on Wednesday, some holding photos of Bazoum and signs saying: "No to the destabilization of the republic's institutions."

Videos taken by the journalist show protesters running and shouting in the capital. Gunshots can also be heard.

Niger's presidential office said in a tweet on Wednesday that "spontaneous protests by democracy advocates broke out all over the (capital) city of Niamey, (around) the country and in front of Niger's embassies abroad after the announcement this morning that President (Mohamed) Bazoum is being held in his palace by his guard."

The presidential guards are holding Bazoum inside the palace, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning, Reuters and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Wednesday. Reuters cited security sources and AFP referenced sources close to Bazoum.

The journalist who spoke to CNN said that the city's center and the roads surrounding the Presidential Palace have been blocked, adding that the country's military appeared to have taken control of state TV.

He said he has so far been unable to reach the country's Ministry of Defence and Ministry for the Interior for comment on the situation.

A member of the National Guard guarding the building for both ministries told the journalist that there are currently no officials inside.

The US Embassy in Niger said it had received reports of political instability within the capital Niamey.

"At this time the city is calm. We advise everyone to limit unnecessary movements, and avoid all travel along Rue de la Republique until further notice," the embassy said.

Agency footage from the capital Niamey shows the rest of the city appearing calm.

Nigerian president Bola Tinubu - the current chair of ECOWAS - has also issued a statement condemning "unpleasant developments" in Niger.

Tinubu said they are "closely monitoring the situation and developments."

"It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS Region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government of the country.

"The ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa," the statement said.

Bazoum was elected in 2021. Attempts on power in the landlocked West African state are common. Niger has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960.

The situation in Niger triggered widespread condemnation, with international leaders calling for peace amid the apparent unrest.

The United Nations "stands by the Government and the people of Niger," a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also criticized "any attempt to destabilize democracy and threaten the stability of Niger."

France's foreign ministry voiced concern and said it "is closely monitoring the development of the situation" in Niger.

And White House officials said they "strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government."

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the partnership between Washington and the West African country is contingent on its "continued commitment to democratic standards."

CNN's Omar Hama Saley in Niamey contributed reporting. CNN's Amy Cassidy, Eve Brennan, Dalal Mawad and Betsy Klein also contributed reporting.