In the aftermath of Niger's coup, the United States has pledged "unflagging support" to Mohamed Bazoum, the ousted president.
Following the coup, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a warning to those detaining Mr. Bazoum, stating that "hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance" could be at risk.
Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, head of the presidential guards unit, has declared himself Niger's new leader.
Mohamed Bazoum, who was considered a crucial ally in the fight against Islamist militants in the region, is currently held captive by his own guards.
The US has assured him of its commitment to restoring democratic rule in Niger.
France, which once held Niger as part of its colonial empire, has refused to recognize the coup's leaders and only acknowledges Mr. Bazoum as the legitimate head of state.
Conversely, the leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has celebrated the coup, viewing it as the people's struggle for independence.
While Gen Tchiani has assured Niger's international commitments and human rights will be respected, he also warned against any attempts to oppose the junta, hinting at potential bloodshed.
The coup has elicited mixed feelings among Nigeriens, with some questioning its necessity due to the perceived lack of severe insecurity in the country, while others have shown support for the junta.
Niger's coup adds to the troubling trend of military takeovers in the West African region in recent years, with neighboring countries like Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso also experiencing similar incidents.
The coup also poses a significant challenge to the leadership of the regional body Ecowas, which had expressed concern about the rising terrorism and coup trends in West Africa, urging urgent action.