Protesters in Niger attacked the French embassy as West African governments threatened its coup leaders. Our team was in the capital of Niger as it unfolded.
NIAMEY, Niger — Thousands of protesters supporting a coup in Niger took to the streets on Sunday and attacked the French embassy as West African governments warned of possible military action to restore democratic rule.
Most protestors seemed to support the coup leaders and, for the most part, those who gathered did not seem angry. In fact, many smiled and seemed joyful. “In the event the authorities’ demands are not met within one week take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic ofECOWAS said it was suspending all financial transactions with Niger, freezing Niger’s assets in central and commercial banks and imposing a travel ban and asset freeze on military officers involved in the coup.
Protesters hold a sign taken from the French Embassy in Niamey, Niger, during a demonstration supporting the junta on Sunday.For decades, France ruled Niger as a colonial power until it gained independence in 1960. Paris has retained an influential role since and currently has about 1,500 troops conducting joint operations with local forces against Islamist extremists. A French state-owned firm also operates a uranium mine in the country’s north.
France also said it supported the statement from the West African leaders in ECOWAS denouncing the coup. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday warned that economic and security ties between the U.S. and Niger would depend on the release of President Bazoum from house arrest and the restoration of “the democratic order in Niger.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The French embassy in Niger is attacked as protesters waving Russian flags march through the capitalThousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week have marched through the streets of the capital, Niamey, waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial po...
Read more »
The French embassy in Niger is attacked as protesters waving Russian flags march through the capitalSecurity in Niger took a turn for the worse Sunday, as protesters marched through the capital in support of the recent military coup, the French embassy was attacked, and a regional economic bloc raised the possibility of military intervention if the president was not reinstated within a week.
Read more »
French embassy in Niger attacked, protesters wave Russian flagsThousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched Sunday through the streets of the capital, Niamey, waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.
Read more »
French embassy in Niger attacked as protesters waving Russian flags march through capitalThe Russian mercenary group Wagner is operating in neighbouring Mali, and President Vladimir Putin would like to expand his country’s influence in the region.
Read more »
Any attack on French interests in Niger will spur swift response - French presidencyAny attack on French nationals or interests in Niger will provoke a strong immediate reaction from France, the French government said on Sunday, as pro-junta protests took place outside the French Embassy in Niamey following last week's military coup.
Read more »
West Africa threatens force on Niger coup leaders, French Embassy attackedWest African nations imposed sanctions and threatened force on Sunday if Niger's coup leaders fail to reinstate ousted President Mohammed Bazoum within a week, while supporters of the junta attacked the French embassy in Niamey.
Read more »