Hundreds in Niger stage protest rally amid rising anti-French sentiment

Hundreds of people in Niger have taken to the streets to show their support for the military coup that has removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power and triggered anti-French sentiments across the region.

A number of demonstrators on Thursday in Niamey held a placard that said: "Long live Niger, Russia, Mali and Burkina. Down with France, ECOWAS, EU." 

Many of them chanted anti-Western slogans and waved Russian flags as they gathered outside the National Assembly.

The angry protesters also denounced the main regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has imposed sanctions on Niger and said it could authorize the use of force if soldiers did not restore Bazoum to power by Sunday.

"We are going to demonstrate to all the ECOWAS countries and all those who are taking inhumane and unpopular measures against Niger, which is in the process of freeing itself from the yoke of colonization," a protester at the rally was quoted as saying.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, the former head of Niger's presidential guard, confined Bazoum to his residence last Wednesday and declared himself head of state in the seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020.

In his address on Wednesday, Tiani called the sanctions "inhumane", saying he rejected any foreign interference but was open to dialogue within the country.

Tiani has won the backing of the juntas in some neighboring countries and cited persistent insecurity as his main justification for seizing power.

Niger junta says it will not back down despite 'inhumane' sanctions

The self-declared new leader of Niger says the junta would not bow to pressure to reinstate the ousted president.

Mali and Burkina Faso have said they would treat an intervention in Niger as a "declaration of war" against them too and would come to Niamey's defense. Tiani sent a general to both countries on Wednesday to shore up support.

Niger coup brings rising anti-French sentiments into the spotlight

The rally comes amid a growing wave of anti-French sentiment, with locals saying they want the former colonial ruler to stop interfering in their affairs. Junta supporters also say they want French troops to leave Niger.

Observers say resentment towards France seems to be coming to a boiling point in Mali, Burkina Faso and now Niger.

France has a long history in West Africa, where it was a colonial power until 1960. Since independence, France has maintained a military presence in the region, which has caused long-term tensions that now seem to be reaching new heights.

French troops withdrew from Mali in 2022 and Burkina Faso in 2023 following military coups. New leadership in Niger could lead to another withdrawal from a country France saw as a key ally in the Sahel. 

France planning to intervene militarily in Niger: Junta

Niger

France has between 1,000 and 1,500 troops in Niger to fight the so-called war on terrorism. In Niger, there are not only French forces but American and European soldiers as well. Burkina Faso and Mali have already kicked out French troops, many of whom are now stationed in Niger.

Meanwhile, the turmoil has prompted some European nations to evacuate citizens by plane. Paris said on Thursday it has completed the evacuation of hundreds of French and European citizens.

African bloc threatens Niger's junta to cede power or face force

African leaders give Niger

US orders partial evacuation of embassy: State Dept

The United States on Wednesday ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy in Niger, the State Department said.

"On August 2, 2023, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees and eligible family members from Embassy Niamey," an updated US travel advisory for Niger said.

The advisory warned US citizens "not to travel to Niger," but stopped short of advising all Americans to leave the landlocked African country.

"The US Embassy in Niamey has temporarily reduced its personnel, suspended routine services, and is only able to provide emergency assistance to US citizens in Niger," the advisory added.

British embassy in Niger to reduce staff numbers temporarily

The British embassy in Niger's capital Niamey will temporarily reduce the number of staff due to the security situation, Britain's foreign ministry said o Thursday.

"There has been a military takeover in Niger, which has led to protests and unrest," the Foreign Office said.

"The group who organized the demonstration on 30 July (M62) have called for another on Thursday 3 August, Niger Independence Day. Protests can be violent and the situation could change quickly without warning."

Western countries are also concerned that Niger could emulate those neighbors in turning towards Russia.

China said on Thursday it believed Niger and regional countries had the wisdom and capability to find a political solution.

Over the past decade, Russia and China, in particular, have consolidated their relations with African states in a number of domains, from trade to energy and military cooperation.

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