On 31 March 2021, Niger's security forces thwarted an attempted coup by a military unit in the capital, Niamey. Heavy gunfire was heard in the early hours near the country's presidential palace. The attack took place just two days before newly elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was due to be sworn into office. The Presidential  Guard arrested several people during the incident. On 2 April 2021, Bazoum was sworn in as the President of Niger, meaning the country’s first democratic transition of power since independence in 1960.