Explained in plain English

What is a 'coup'?

A coup d'état, often shortened to 'coup', is the sudden, illegal overthrow of a government by a small group, typically the military. It usually involves seizing control of key government buildings and communication hubs. While the story doesn't explicitly use the term, the targeting of the airport and presidential palace in Niamey suggests an attempted seizure of power, a common feature of coups.