The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are holding an emergency summit in Accra, Ghana, to discuss the political and security situation in Niger, where a military junta seized power in July.
The coup, led by Colonel Abdourahamane Tchiani, toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, who had taken office in April.
Niger is a former French colony that gained independence in 1960. It has experienced several coups and periods of military rule since then. The constitution of 2010 established a republic with a semi-presidential system of government, where the president is elected for a five-year term and appoints the prime minister. The president is limited to two terms in office. The legislative power is vested in a unicameral National Assembly with 171 members elected by proportional representation.