Berlin, 26 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The German Federal Foreign Office does not yet have a clear picture of the situation following reports of a possible coup attempt in the West African country of Niger.

"The situation on the ground remains very unclear," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said in Berlin on Wednesday.

"We are in contact with our embassy on the ground as well as with international partners on this," she added. If needed, appropriate measures will be taken, she said.

According to media reports, Niger's presidential guard blocked access to the presidential palace in the capital Niamey this morning. It was initially unclear whether this was an attempted coup by the military.

A spokesman for the German Defence Ministry said it was too early to assess the situation. The German soldiers deployed in the country were "safe for now." The situation would be monitored in the coming days, he said.

Germany's military, or Bundeswehr, maintains an airlift base in the capital Niamey for military engagement in West Africa. This location is key in the ongoing withdrawal of the Bundeswehr from neighbouring Mali.

In mid-June, Mali's military junta demanded the withdrawal of the roughly 12,000 peacekeepers, including 1,100 German forces, after months of deteriorating relations with the United Nations and major powers.

According to reports, Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum is currently negotiating with representatives of the military.

It was only at the end of last year that the European Union decided to send a military mission to Niger to fight terrorism in the region.