Nigerien Protesters Denounce France, Wave Russian Flags

Thousands of supporters of the new Nigerien government amassed outside the French embassy in the capital of Niamey, waving Russian flags on Sunday, 30 July.

The protesters could be heard chanting the name of Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, as they denounced the former colonial power, France. Video footage captured the scene in which a gate to the French embassy was set alight before the Nigerien army dispersed the gathered crowd with tear gas.

French president Emmanuel Macron released a statement to an international publication on the same day, condemning the attack and announcing that “should anyone attack French nationals, the army, diplomats and French interests, they will see France respond in an immediate and intractable manner.”

The incident comes a few days after a military coup took place in the West African country on Wednesday, 26 July, in which they ousted democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who is believed to be currently confined to the presidential palace.

Much of the international community – including the United States of America, France, and the 15-nation West African bloc known as ECOWAS, amongst others – have condemned the coup, with many calling for Bazoum to be released immediately.

ECOWAS has also demanded that Bazoum be reinstated within 15 days, otherwise the country will face harsh sanctions.

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