Moussa Salaou Barmou Explained

Honorific Prefix:Brigade General
Moussa Salaou Barmou
Allegiance:Niger
National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland
Branch:Niger Army
Rank:Brigade general
Battles:2023 Nigerien coup d'état and the2023 Nigerien crisis

Moussa Salaou Barmou is a Nigerien military officer and one of the leaders of the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état. On 26 July 2023, he helped oust President Mohamed Bazoum.[1]

Career

Barmou received training in the United States, both at Fort Moore and the National Defense University.[2]

In 2015, Barmou, who at the time was the Head of Niger's special forces, stated in an interview that Niger was conducting operations against Boko Haram to ensure security and peace.[3]

Barmou stated that the Nigerien Armed forces had good relations with the United States.

Participation in the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état

On 26 July 2023, he joined the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the junta that ousted President Bazoum, who served from 2021 until the military coup occurred. According to Nigerien sources, Barmou was also involved in the encirclement of the Bazoum Presidential palace.[4] [5]

Following the coup, he was identified as the new military chief of staff.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-07-26 . African Union, ECOWAS condemn ‘attempted coup d'état’ in Niger . 2023-12-01 . France 24 . en.
  2. Web site: 27 July 2023. Niger Coup Leader Joins Long Line of U.S.-Trained Mutineers. Turse. Nick. 11 August 2023. The Intercept.
  3. Web site: Nigerdiaspora . Entretien avec le Colonel Moussa Salaou Barmou, : Commandant de la Zone de Défense N°5, Coordonateur du centre des opérations conjointes Niger/Tchad . fr . 2023-07-28.
  4. Web site: Niger's president vows democracy will prevail after mutinous soldiers detain him and declare a coup. 27 July 2023. AP News. Sam. Mednick. 27 July 2023. 27 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230727142327/https://apnews.com/article/niger-mutinous-soldiers-attempted-coup-2efab1649bea7d89b14dbc9432f5f819. live.
  5. Web site: Soldiers announce coup in Niger – DW – 07/28/2023 . 2023-12-01 . dw.com . en.
  6. News: Armstrong . Kathryn . Orjinmo . Nduka . 2023-08-08 . Niger coup: US envoy holds 'difficult' talks with junta . en . BBC . 2023-08-08.