Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Seyni Kountche stadium in Niamey on Saturday to show their support for the military coup that occurred last month. This rally came a day after the newly installed military rulers of Niger ordered the French ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours.
The stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of 30,000, was filled to two-thirds of its capacity, with the sound of vuvuzelas resonating through the air, according to journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
As the stands were adorned with the flags of Niger, Algeria, and Russia, acrobats painted in the national colors of Niger performed in the center of the pitch, adding to the festive atmosphere.
“We have the right to choose the partners we want,” declared Ramatou Ibrahim Boubacar, who was draped in Nigerien flags from head to toe. “France must respect this choice.”
Boubacar emphasized the newfound sense of independence following the coup: “For sixty years, we have never been independent, only since the day of the coup d’état.”
She also expressed full support for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the group that seized power by overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum’s government on July 26.
Under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tiani, the CNSP has made France its primary target.
“The fight will not stop until the day there are no longer any French soldiers in Niger,” proclaimed Colonel Obro Amadou, a member of the CNSP, to the crowd at the stadium. He continued, “It’s you who are going to drive them out.”
In response to the coup, Niger’s foreign ministry demanded that French ambassador Sylvain Itte leave the country within 48 hours. The ministry cited Itte’s refusal to engage with the new rulers and French government actions that were deemed “contrary to the interests of Niger.” However, Paris rejected the demand, stating that “the putschists do not have the authority to make this request.”
Idrissa Halidou, a healthcare worker and CNSP member who attended Saturday’s rally, expressed his views on the French ambassador, saying, “The French ambassador, instead of leaving, thinks this is the land of his parents.”
He also declared the readiness to fight against the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has imposed sanctions on the new regime and threatened to use military intervention if power is not returned to Bazoum.
While efforts are being made to find a diplomatic resolution, Molly Phee, the top US diplomat for sub-Saharan Africa, visited Nigeria to meet with ECOWAS officials. Discussions took place in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, which currently holds the ECOWAS presidency. Phee also consulted with senior officials in Benin, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Togo, all of which are fellow members of the ECOWAS regional bloc.
The new rulers of Niger accuse ECOWAS of being influenced by France, prompting tensions within the bloc.
Notably, France has maintained a presence in Niger with 1,500 soldiers who have been assisting Bazoum in the fight against jihadist groups that have plagued the country for years.
The rally in Niger’s capital demonstrated the strong support for the recent coup, as well as the deep-rooted emotions surrounding the relationship between the country and France. As the situation continues to unfold, diplomatic efforts and regional alliances will play a crucial role in determining the future of Niger.
African News/Jide Johnson.
