According to the local press, organizers demand the immediate departure of all foreign troops from the country and respect for the sovereignty of the Nigerien people.
The demonstrations occurred on the day of Niger’s independence from its former colonial power, France, which still maintains about 1,500 soldiers here.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of Niger’s new military government, in turn, called on the population to be ready to defend the country and described the harsh sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last week as illegal, unjust, inhuman, and unprecedented.
These sanctions include financial and commercial aspects, while several Nigerian cities, including Niamey, have suffered from power cuts since Tuesday. Nigelec, Niger’s electricity company, states Nigeria’s Government has cut its electricity supply to Niger.
A military junta going by the name of National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) announced on national television on Wednesday the dismissal of President Mohamed Bazoum, the suspension of all institutions, the closure of the nation’s borders, and the establishment of a curfew.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and suffers from a severe food crisis and the impact of climate change. It is the third Sahel country, after Mali and Burkina Faso, hit by more attacks by radical Islamic groups.
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