Nigerien protesters wave Russian flags, attack French Embassy
Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched through the streets of the capital, Niamey, on Sunday waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president, and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.
The protesters marched through the city to the French Embassy, where a door was lit on fire, according to someone who was at the embassy when it happened and videos seen by the AP.
Black smoke could be seen rising from across the city. The Nigerien army broke up the crowd of protesters.
Russian mercenary group Wagner is already operating in neighboring Mali, and Russian President Vladimir Putin would like to expand his country’s influence in the region. However, it is unclear yet whether the new junta leaders will move toward Moscow or stick with Niger’s Western partners.
Days after the coup, uncertainty is mounting about Niger’s future, with some calling out the junta’s reasons for seizing control.
President Mohamed Bazoum was democratically elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence from France in 1960.
The mutineers said they overthrew him because he wasn’t able to secure the nation against growing violence.
France has 1,500 soldiers in the country who conduct joint operations with the Nigeriens. The United States and other European countries have helped train the nation’s troops.
On Sunday France condemned all violence against diplomatic compounds, whose security is the responsibility of the host state, said a statement by the government.
The attack follows France’s move on Saturday to suspend all development and financial aid for Niger.
West African bodies issue ultimatum
Regional bodies, including the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have also denounced the coup. Some taking part in Sunday’s rally warned them to stay away.
The African Union has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the country’s democratically elected government. ECOWAS is holding an emergency summit Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria.
The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc has unsuccessfully tried to restore democracies in nations where the military took power in recent years. Four nations are run by military regimes in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020. If ECOWAS imposes economic sanctions on Niger, which is what normally happens during coups, it could have a deep impact on Nigeriens, who live in the third-poorest country in the world, according to the latest UN data.
Heads of the West African economic bloc ECOWAS, the eight-member West African Economic, and Monetary Union could suspend Niger from its institutions, cut off the country from the regional central bank and financial market, and close borders, according to Reuters. However, in a televised address Saturday, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Bazoum, accused the meeting of making a “plan of aggression” against Niger and said the country would defend itself. The junta issued a second statement on Saturday night inviting citizens in the capital take to the streets to protest against ECOWAS and show support for the new military leaders.