International Pressure Mounts on Niger Coup Leaders as US and Senegal Offer Support
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Leaders of the coup in Niger are facing increasing international pressure as the United States and Senegal express their support for West African leaders who have threatened to use force to restore democracy in the nation. American Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States “stands very much” in support of the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, which has called for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum and has threatened military action if the junta does not comply. Senegal has also offered troops to help in a potential military intervention.
In response to the growing unrest, Niger’s military leaders have sought to exploit anti-Western sentiments and have suspended French broadcasters RFI and France 24 from broadcasting in the country. These suspensions have been condemned by the French foreign affairs ministry as part of the junta’s “authoritarian repression.”
The coup, which toppled President Bazoum, has resulted in widespread anti-French sentiment and raised concerns about the fight against extremism in the Sahel region of Africa, where Russia and Western countries have been vying for influence. Western nations and the ECOWAS bloc have condemned the coup and called for the junta to hand back power to Bazoum. European countries have also started evacuating their citizens from Niger as tensions continue to escalate.
Protests organized by the junta and civil society groups took place in the capital city of Niamey on Niger’s independence day. Protesters expressed their support for neighboring countries that have also experienced military takeovers, with some waving Russian flags. The extent of support for the coup within the population remains unclear, as many people in the capital went about their normal lives.
U.S. President Joe Biden used the occasion of Niger’s independence day to call for the release of Bazoum and the restoration of democracy. The White House has stated that it is still focused on diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis but acknowledged that the window for such efforts may not remain open indefinitely.
General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the new military ruler, has lashed out at those who have condemned the coup and questioned the legality and fairness of the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS. There are concerns that the junta may limit the export of uranium from Niger, which contributes 5% of the global share.
The ECOWAS bloc has set a deadline of Sunday for the junta to reinstate Bazoum. If the deadline is not met, the bloc’s defense chiefs are expected to decide on the next course of action, potentially involving military intervention.
France, which has 1,500 soldiers in Niger conducting joint operations against extremist groups, has reaffirmed its support for Bazoum and stated that it does not recognize the junta’s authority. Some in Niger see Russia as an alternative ally, as neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, both ruled by juntas, have turned toward Moscow.
The French Embassy in Niamey was attacked by protesters ahead of Thursday’s demonstration, prompting the French government to request increased security measures from Niger’s government.
In response to the crisis, the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, dispatched two delegations to Niger. One group led by former Nigerian head of state Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar is heading to Niger, while another group led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe will engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria.
The situation in Niger remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring developments as tensions continue to rise.
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Associated Press writers Zane Irwin in Dakar, Senegal; John Leicester in Paris; Toussaint N’Gotta in Abidjan, Ivory Coast; and Edith Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.