Supporters of the military junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched in their thousands on Sunday through the streets of the capital, Niamey.
Protesters were seen waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.
According to AP, the protesters marched through the city to the French Embassy, where a door was lit on fire.
Black smoke could be seen rising from across the city. The Nigerien army later intervene by breaking up the crowd of the protesters.
Russian mercenary group Wagner is already operating in neighboring Mali, and Russian President Vladimir Putin would like to expand his country’s influence in the region.
However, it is unclear yet whether the new military leaders will move toward Moscow or stick with Niger’s Western partners.
On Sunday at an emergency meeting in Abuja, Nigeria the Economic Community of West African States said it was suspending relations with Niger and authorized the use of force if the president was not reinstated within a week.
DEMONSTRATION IN NIGER
Supporters of Military take over in the Niger republic in their thousands gather outside the French embassy in Niamey the Capital of Niger.
The demonstrators condemned the action taken by France against the Military Junta.
Media reports that the peaceful… pic.twitter.com/9E6kuIfuXa
— NTA News (@NTANewsNow) July 30, 2023