Supporters of the Niger junta assert that France is pressuring ECOWAS to intervene.
In an effort to destabilize Niger, coup leaders in that country have accused French forces of releasing detained “terrorists” and violating a prohibition on using its airspace. France has categorically denied these accusations.
On July 26, soldiers from the nation’s presidential guard overthrew the government and detained President Mohammad Bazoum, sparking international outrage and the possibility of a military invasion by other West African countries. On Sunday, the Nigerien airspace was shut down by the coup leaders, who also forbade any outside intervention.
The West African group, ECOWAS, which on Thursday approved the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger, was referred to as “down with France, down with ECOWAS” by protesters.
On the outskirts of Niamey, the capital of Niger, thousands of supporters of the coup leaders gathered on Friday, according to AFP reporters.
Many shouted their support for the nation’s new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tiani, while waving the Russian and Niger flags.
“We’ll force the French to go! One protester, student union member Aziz Rabeh Ali, claimed that ECOWAS wasn’t independent and that France was manipulating it.
The United Nations, other West African nations, and Western nations have all denounced the action, notably France, a former colonial power and close ally of Bazoum.
On July 30, a hostile demonstration in front of the French embassy forced France to arrange for the voluntary evacuation of its citizens.
Around 1,500 French military forces are currently stationed in Niger to support the nation in its eight-year conflict with a brutal jihadist insurgency.
Many are stationed at the air base outside of Niamey, which is operated in conjunction with the military forces of Niger.
