Hundreds of people gathered in the capital city of Niger on Thursday to show their support for the ruling junta, denouncing France and other countries that have criticized the recent coup. The military leaders of Niger are using anti-Western sentiment to bolster their takeover amidst growing opposition from the international community.
The demonstration, organized by the junta and civil society groups, took place on the independence day of Niger, and the number of protesters swelled as the event progressed. In a show of solidarity, the demonstrators in Niamey raised their fists in the air and chanted support for neighbouring countries that have also experienced military takeovers in recent years. Notably, some protesters waved Russian flags, while one man held a flag sewn together with both Russian and Nigerian symbols.
The coup, which occurred last week, led to the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum and marked Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since gaining independence from France. However, it has sparked strong anti-French sentiments and raised concerns about the future of the fight against extremism in Africa’s Sahel region, where both Russia and Western countries vie for influence.
The Western countries and the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS have strongly condemned the coup and threatened the junta with the use of force if they do not relinquish power to President Bazoum. As tensions escalate in the capital and the region, several European nations have taken measures to evacuate their citizens.
During the protest on Thursday, many demonstrators expressed their support for the coup leaders and voiced their opposition to interference from external forces. The situation in Niger remains closely monitored by the international community as the country grapples with the aftermath of the coup and its implications for regional stability.