Coup Supporters In Niger Defy Ban, Rally To Celebrate Junta's Rejection Of Foreign Intervention

Thousands of Nigeriens who are in support of the ongoing military coup came out to rally in support after the Junta leader warned against foreign intervention in the country’s current political chaos. This rally came shortly after the military government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, banned protest in the country.

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In a report by Punch papers, the supporters who gathered in Niamey, Niger Republic were allowed to rally as long as they are in support of the Junta, otherwise, the new military government has placed a ban on any form of protest within the country. The rally which is just one out of many came a day after the military-led government threatened that any attack on Niger will not be a “walk in the park.”

AFP reported that the supporters chanted hostile songs against their former colonial nation, France, and the West African organizational bloc, ECOWAS. Recall that ECOWAS had recently threatened to utilize military resources if other efforts to reinstall the country’s elected president, Mohammed Bazoum, fail.

Some of the demonstrators’ placards read; “Stop the military interventions”, and, “Say no to sanctions”. The later inscription is a reference to the financial aide and trade restrictions ordered by ECOWAS just four days after the July 26, 2023 coup.

Accompanying the Sunday, August 20th’s pro-coup demonstrators were musicians who also chanted praises to their new military leaders.

Earlier on Saturday, August 19, Gen. Tiani had in a televised broadcast explained that the Nigerien military are not about to confiscate power. He also mentioned that the transition will not exceed three years, but anyone trying to intervene with foreign military will only end up in opening the Pandora’s box.

After the ECOWAS delegation came to the country for one last round of diplomacy, he issued the above warning. This happened right before they were about to decide whether to take military action against the junta.

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