Niger’s Junta Celebrates First Anniversary of Coup Amid Tight Security
Thousands of people gathered in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Friday to mark the first anniversary of the country’s coup. The event was marked by high security, with armored vehicles surrounding the stadium, as the junta chief, Abdourahamane Tiani, greeted attendees without addressing the crowd.
Dressed in clothes bearing photos of regime members, the crowd chanted Tiani’s name, with some chanting slogans such as “We’re celebrating, our dear country will gradually regain its sovereignty.” Fati Hassane, part of a women’s group formed since the coup, expressed her optimism about the country’s future, saying, “We’re celebrating, our dear country will gradually regain its sovereignty.”
The stadium was filled with supporters waving national flags and chanting slogans, with many carrying flags bearing the images of military leaders from neighboring countries, including Burkina Faso and Mali. These countries’ leaders have formed a “confederation” with Niger’s junta, citing the need to combat jihadist groups.
Despite the celebrations, Niger has been struggling with security issues, with dozens of civilians and soldiers killed in recent months. The junta has used the security situation as a justification for its coup and has distanced itself from some West African nations, including the regional bloc ECOWAS.
The junta has also expelled French forces from the country and is expected to finalize the departure of US troops by August. In their place, Niger has drawn closer to Turkey, Iran, and Russia, whose flags were visible at the anniversary event.
Meanwhile, ousted President Mohamed Bazoum remains detained in his official residence, a stark reminder of the changes that have taken place in Niger since the coup. Despite the challenges, the junta’s supporters remain optimistic about the country’s future, with one attendee saying, “I’ve come to support the soldiers, they’re doing a good job so far.”
The anniversary was declared a public holiday, and Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine praised the event, saying, “Never in our country’s recent history has an event received such great popular support.”
