Gunfire breaks out in Niger Capital, in apparent coup bid

NAIROBI/NIAMEY - Gunfire has broken out in the Nigerien capital Niamey in an apparent coup attempt, reports said Thursday.

President Mamadou Tandja last year rode roughshod over parliament and the constitutional court to extend his rule and allow himself a chance at another term, raising tensions in the uranium-rich nation.

Radio France International reported heavy gunfire around the presidential palace, which then tailed off to sporadic shooting mid-afternoon. Smoke was reportedly seen rising from the palace.

A government source told the BBC that Tandja and his cabinet had been captured by soldiers, although other reports suggested that the presidential guard had beaten off the attack.

West African regional group ECOWAS suspended Niger after Tandja extended his term, while the European Union and the US also imposed sanctions.

ECOWAS has been mediating talks between the opposition and the government, but has made little headway.

Several international companies have uranium mining operations in the huge West African nation.