General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the Presidential Guard since 2011, has appeared on state television to declare himself as the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland”, after a coup in Niger Republic.

The general, who is in his 50s and has previously kept out of public life, presented the coup as a response to “the degradation of the security situation” linked to jihadist bloodshed.

General Tchiani questioned “the sense and scope of a security approach to the fight against terrorism which excludes any real collaboration with Burkina Faso and Mali,” neighbouring countries which face similar threats.

During his speech, the new leader warned of “the consequences that will flow from any foreign military intervention”.

This threat appears to be targeted at the several international organizations that have condemned the coup and have called for the restoration of the democratically elected government led by President Mohamed Bazoum.

Already, ECOWAS has announced a special meeting in Abuja on Sunday to be chaired by its chairman, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu. It looks likely that the regional bloc will suspend Niger, just like it did to Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso after similar military takeovers.

Former colonial master France has demanded the restoration of the government saying it “does not recognize” the coup plotters, and calling Bazoum the “sole president”.

The coup has continued to prompt mounting concern and Kenyan President William Ruto called the army takeover “a serious setback” for Africa.

President Ruto in a video message said “The aspirations of the people of Niger for constitutional democracy were subverted by an unconstitutional change of government.”

The European Union has already threatened to cut budget aid to the country after what it said was a “serious attack on stability and democracy”.