There were massive protests by tenth of thousands of citizens in Niamy, capital of Niger Republic demanding the withdrawal of French troops from the West African nation.
This marked the largest gathering since the coup, indicating continued support for the junta and growing dissatisfaction with France’s presence
The protesters assembled outside a French military base in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday.
The demand for the withdrawal of French troops followed a military coup which Paris refuses to acknowledge.
During the protest outside the military base, demonstrators symbolically slit the throat of a goat dressed in French colors and carried coffins draped in French flags
The July 26 coup is one of eight in West and Central Africa since 2020, drawing global concerns about a shift to military rule in the region.
France, whose influence has diminished in West Africa recently, faces mounting anti-French sentiment. This sentiment increased since the coup and escalated when France disregarded the junta’s order to remove its ambassador, Sylvain Itte and olice were instructed to expel him.
. This marked the largest gathering since the coup, indicating continued support for the junta and growing dissatisfaction with France’s presence. One protester, Yacouba Issoufou, declared, “We are ready to sacrifice ourselves today because we are proud. They plundered our resources, and we became aware. So they’re going to get out.”
By early evening local time, there had been no apparent outbreaks of violence.
France had cordial relations with ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and has about 1,500 troops stationed in Niger.
On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he spoke to Bazoum every day and that “the decisions we will take, whatever they may be, will be based upon exchanges with Bazoum.”
Niger’s junta denounced the comments as divisive and served only to perpetrate France’s neo-colonial relationship.
France is not the only country with concerns. West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS has slapped sanctions on Niger and threatened military action as a last resort. The United States and European powers also have troops stationed in the country.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who holds ECOWAS’ revolving chairmanship, said last week that a nine-month transition back to civilian rule could satisfy regional powers.
Niger’s junta had previously proposed a three-year timeline
