Thousands of supporters of a military junta that took power in Niger earlier this week have marched in the capital, Niamey, with many waving Russian flags and chanting the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The demonstrators on July 30 set fire to the door of the French Embassy, while the army tried to restore order.
The French Foreign Ministry urged the junta to “ensure the security of our diplomatic missions and consulates,” while the office of French President Emmanuel Macron said France “will not tolerate any attack against France or its interests.”
Former colonial power France and the European Union suspended financial aid and security cooperation with Niger on July 29.
Junta leaders said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 28 because of what they claimed was the threat of “imminent military intervention” by the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS planned an emergency summit in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 30 to discuss the situation in Niger.
Russia’s Kremlin-connected Wagner mercenary group has a presence in neighboring Mali.
Before the coup, Niger was considered the most reliable remaining partner for Western efforts to combat jihadists in the Sahel region. France has 1,500 troops in Niger to conduct joint operations with Niger’s military, while the United States and the European Union have provided security training and assistance.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Binken, traveling in Australia, said continued U.S. aid was conditioned on “the continuation of the democratic governance and constitutional order” in Niger.
The African Union has issued an ultimatum to the junta to restore Niger’s democratically elected government within 15 days. Failure to do so, the bloc said, would force it to take “necessary action, including punitive measures against the perpetrators.”
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and relies on some $2 billion in annual international assistance.
