Amidst the wave of Coup in The west African nation, the French Embassy in Niger became the epicentre of a massive demonstration in support of the military coup On Sunday, as thousands of attendees chanted ‘Long Live Putin’ with fervency.
Africa Today News, New York, learned that protesters’ grievances centred around France’s influence in its ex-colony, and they expressed their support for Russian President Vladimir Putin despite the Kremlin’s calls for the release of the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
A portion of the demonstrators resorted to tearing down an Embassy plaque, stomping on it, and subsequently hoisting Russian and Nigerien flags in its place.
Amid the protest in the West African country, the air was filled with vigorous shouts of ‘Long live Putin,’ ‘Long live Russia,’ and ‘Down with France’ from the assembled throngs.
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In an attempt to quell the protest, Nigerien security forces resorted to using tear gas, which prompted defiant responses from certain individuals who set a fire outside the compound.
France, as per the statement from President Emmanuel Macron’s office, pledged immediate retaliation against any perpetrators targeting French nationals or facilities in Niger.
The coup’s actions have not gone unnoticed by the international community, drawing significant condemnation from influential bodies like the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS, on Sunday, demanded the swift release and reinstatement of Bazoum, specifying a one-week period. The group also warned that if the junta persisted in its control, it would not hesitate to take ‘all measures necessary,’ potentially involving the use of force, to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
In addition to other actions, the regional bloc unveiled a set of punitive measures that include the closure of both land and air borders with Niger.
Throughout its post-independence era, Niger has grappled with multiple military coups, while more recently, political stability had improved. The notable milestone came in 2021 when Bazoum’s rise to power marked Niger’s inaugural peaceful transfer of authority through democratic means.