"Protesters Target French Embassy in Niger Amid Threats from West African Governments against Coup Leaders"

 

"Supporters of Coup Wave Russian Flags in Capital as Regional Leaders Warn of Possible Military Action to Restore Democratic Rule"

NIAMEY, Niger — Thousands of protesters supporting a coup in Niger took to the streets on Sunday, and amid the unrest, they attacked the French embassy. As regional leaders expressed concerns and warned of potential military action to restore democratic rule, tensions escalated.

In the capital city, Niamey, demonstrators, many of whom were waving Russian flags, targeted the French embassy. Windows were smashed, and a perimeter door was set on fire, but the protesters did not breach the walls of the embassy compound.

The streets of Niamey, including Boulevard de la Republique and several other major thoroughfares, were filled with protesters. Some ran on foot, while others rode motorcycles or packed into vehicles. Traffic circles were blocked, leading to traffic congestion on side streets. The demonstrators, mainly from Niger, shouted slogans and waved their national flags during the protests.

Within a matter of minutes, we observed hundreds of protestors passing by in our vehicle, prompting us to opt for turning around instead of attempting to navigate through the vast crowd. The morning also introduced a new sight in Niamey: numerous police checkpoints scattered across the city.

The majority of protestors appeared to be supportive of the coup leaders, and overall, the atmosphere among the gathered crowds did not appear to be hostile. In fact, many demonstrators wore smiles and seemed to be in a joyful mood.

Simultaneously, while the protests unfolded in Niger, West African nations convened an emergency summit in Nigeria. During the summit, they announced the imposition of comprehensive sanctions on Niger, threatening further actions unless President Mohammed Bazoum was released from detention and reinstated to power.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), consisting of 15 nations, has issued a stern ultimatum to the coup leaders in Niger. They have been given one week to reverse their takeover of power or face the possibility of military intervention.

In a statement, ECOWAS emphasized that if the demands of the authorities were not met within the specified timeframe, they would take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, which might include the use of force.

To put pressure on the coup leaders, ECOWAS has suspended all financial transactions with Niger, frozen the country's assets in central and commercial banks, and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on military officers involved in the coup.

The coup leaders claim that the ECOWAS bloc is on the brink of initiating a military intervention in Niger.

Niger has been a crucial focal point for Western counter-terrorism efforts in the volatile Sahel region. The country hosts approximately 1,100 U.S. troops who conduct drone operations and provide training to local forces to combat Islamist extremists.

For many years, Niger was under the colonial rule of France until it gained independence in 1960. Since then, Paris has maintained a significant influence in the country. Currently, around 1,500 French troops are engaged in joint operations with local forces to combat Islamist extremists. Additionally, a state-owned French company operates a uranium mine in the northern part of Niger.

In response to recent developments and security concerns, French President Emmanuel Macron made it clear on Sunday that any attacks on France and its interests would not be accepted or tolerated.

"The French foreign ministry has expressed its call for an immediate cessation of the unacceptable violence witnessed today," said the ministry. It further mentioned that security measures have been heightened at the French embassy in Niamey.

France has also declared its endorsement of the statement issued by West African leaders in ECOWAS, which strongly denounces the coup in Niger.

U.S. officials have strongly condemned the military officers' seizure of power in Niger. However, they have refrained from officially labeling it as a "coup" as such a designation would trigger the cessation of all American aid to the country and the termination of security cooperation with Niger, in accordance with U.S. law.

The situation remains fluid, and U.S. officials acknowledge uncertainty about the coup's potential outcome. The recent assertive statement from the ECOWAS summit might have intensified tensions in Niger.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the economic and security ties between the U.S. and Niger would be contingent upon the release of President Bazoum from house arrest and the restoration of democratic order in the country.

While there is no evidence suggesting Russia's direct involvement in the coup, some experts and former diplomats point out that Russia's paramilitary Wagner Group has been propagating anti-Western and anti-French messages for months. They sought to portray President Bazoum's government as being under the control of Paris.

The Wagner paramilitaries have connections to military juntas in Mali and other neighboring countries. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, which led a brief mutiny in Russia recently, praised the coup in Niger, describing it as a fight against "colonizers."

As of late Sunday night, the streets of Niamey remained calm, with most people adhering to the nationwide curfew, which has been in effect for five nights. President Bazoum remains in captivity in his presidential residence, and there appears to be no clear resolution to Niger's crisis at present.