The military junta that seized control of Niger earlier this week was given a week by the West African regional body ECOWAS to restore constitutional order.
In retaliation, tens of thousands of supporters of the military junta demonstrated in the streets of Niamey, the country’s capital, while carrying Russian flags and criticising the former colonial power, France.
“I would like to say the European Union, African Union and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States, Ed.), please stay out of our business”, pleaded one Niamey resident, Omar Baomoussa.
The regional bloc did not rule out the use of force in a statement released during the emergency meeting, which was held in Abuja, Nigeria.
Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, spokesman for the coup leaders in Niger, answered resolutely.
“The objective of this meeting is to agree a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with African nations, not members of the organization and certain Western countries. We remind ECOWAS once more of our firm determination to defend our country”, he said.
The rebels said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum because he failed to protect the country from rising Islamic violence. Bazoum was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France.
