A large number of individuals supporting the coup in Niger assembled on Thursday for a massive rally in the capital, Niamey. Some of the demonstrators were seen holding oversized Russian flags.
The gathering took place at Independence Square, located in the heart of the city, in response to a call made by a coalition of civil society associations to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1960.
Issiaka Hamadou, a participant in the demonstration, emphasized that their primary concern was security, regardless of the source, be it “Russia, China, Turkey, if they want to help us.”
Read Also : ECOWAS vs Niger: Russia May Attempt Coup in Nigeria – Adeyanju Warns Tinubu Govt
He expressed a strong aversion to the presence of the French, stating that they have been exploiting the country since 1960, and their continued presence has brought no positive changes.
France currently maintains approximately 1,500 troops in Niger to combat jihadism in the Sahel region.
A student named Oumar expressed his dissatisfaction with the regime of President Bazoum, which he believes is backed by France and has hindered job opportunities for him after studying in the country.
He strongly advocates for a change and the removal of the current situation.
The coup has raised concerns among Western nations as they grapple with a jihadist insurgency that originated in northern Mali in 2012, spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015, and now poses a threat to vulnerable states along the Gulf of Guinea.
Supporters of the junta in Niger believe that France hasn’t adequately protected them from the jihadists and assert that Russia would be a more robust and reliable ally.
