Thousands attend rally in Niger’s capital Niamey in support of recent coup d’état

Thousands gathered this Sunday in Niamey, the capital of Niger, for a rally backing the recent coup led by a military junta last Wednesday.

The rally featured Russian flags and chants against France, ECOWAS, the European Union, and the African Union.

Protesters congregated at the Concertation Square of Niamey, in front of the National Assembly, having arrived from various parts of the city.

Throughout the rally, the participants waved Nigerien flags alongside Russian ones, chanting slogans such as “Down with France, Barkhane out, we don’t care about ECOWAS, the European Union, and the African Union!”

Another chant echoed during the rally: “Arrest the former dignitaries so they return the stolen millions”.

All routes leading to the French and U.S. Embassies were closed during the rally.

In Niger, Paris maintains 1,500 military personnel as part of the anti-terrorist operation Barkhane, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is holding a summit in Nigeria this Sunday to discuss the coup.

On Saturday, the Nigerien military junta denounced that ECOWAS is planning to approve a “plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey” at the summit, warning them of their “strong determination” to defend the nation.

Although the military junta banned all demonstrations last Thursday following a violent raid on the deposed president’s party headquarters, they allowed this rally in support of the new coup-led government, self-titled as the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP).

Following last Wednesday’s coup against President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger is now under the control of a junta led by General Abdourrahmane Tiani, commander of the Presidential Guard, who is detaining Bazoum at his residence.

The coupist junta announced the dismissal of the president, suspension of the Constitution and dissolution of the related organs, border closure, and a curfew until further notice.

Furthermore, they claimed the power to exercise “the full set of legislative and executive powers” while awaiting a return to “normal constitutional order”.