Niger coup backers wave Russian flags and assault French embassy as Wagner mercenary boss gives help

Thousands of supporters of the navy junta that seized management in Niger in a coup have marched by the streets of the capital waving Russian flags and denouncing former colonial energy France.

Demonstrators in Niamey converged on the French embassy and set fireplace to its doorways, stoned the constructing and burned the nation’s flags.

Russian mercenary group Wagner is already working in neighbouring Mali and its boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has hailed the coup as excellent news and supplied his fighters’ companies.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin want to broaden his nation’s affect within the area.

However, it’s unclear but whether or not the brand new navy management goes to shift in direction of Moscow or search to stay with Niger’s Western allies.

It got here because the West African regional bloc ECOWAS assembly at an emergency summit on Sunday gave the mutineers one week to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or face sanctions and the attainable use of drive.

The group warned it will take “all measures necessary” to revive the nation’s democratically-elected authorities, whereas the African Union has additionally issued its personal ultimatum.

Mr Bazoum was elected two years in the past in Niger’s first peaceable, democratic switch of energy since independence from France.

General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself new head of state on Friday following the navy takeover.

Warning in opposition to any navy intervention, junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane mentioned: “We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer of our firm determination to defend our homeland.”

The coup in Niger has been extensively condemned by neighbours and worldwide companions together with the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and France.

They have all refused to recognise the brand new leaders and have demanded the elected president’s return.

Niger is among the poorest international locations on the earth, receiving near $2bn (£1.6bn) a yr in official improvement help, in response to the World Bank.

It can also be a safety accomplice of France and the US, which each use it as a base to struggle an Islamist insurgency in West and Central Africa’s wider Sahel area.

Read extra:
Russia will look on Niger coup ‘very favourably’

Conflict consultants say out of all of the international locations within the area, Niger has probably the most at stake if it turns away from the West, given the hundreds of thousands of {dollars} of navy help the worldwide group has poured in.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken mentioned the continued safety and financial preparations that Niger has with the US hinged on the discharge of Mr Bazoum – who stays beneath home arrest – and “the immediate restoration of the democratic order in Niger”.

France has suspended all improvement help and different monetary help for Niger.

The Elysee mentioned in an announcement mentioned: “Anyone who attacks French nationals, the military, diplomats, or French interests will spur an immediate and uncompromising response from France.”

The coup leaders mentioned they overthrew Mr Bazoum as a result of he was not capable of shield the nation from rising jihadi violence.

But some analysts and Nigeriens argue this was only a pretext for a takeover that’s extra about inside energy struggles than the nation’s safety.

Professor Amad Hassane Boubacar, who teaches on the University of Niamey, mentioned: “Everybody is wondering why this coup? That’s because no one was expecting it.

“We could not anticipate a coup in Niger as a result of there isn’t any social, political or safety scenario that might justify that the navy take the facility.”