Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Niamey on Saturday to demand the withdrawal of French troops from Niger, as advocated by the junta that seized power in late June.
The protesters assembled near a base housing French soldiers in response to a call from several civic organizations that are critical of the French military presence in the West African nation.
Amidou Gourou, one of the protesters, stated, “We are here to express our determination, commitment, and dedication to removing the French military force and all military bases from our national territory.”
Niger’s military regime had launched a fresh verbal attack on France on Friday, accusing Paris of “blatant interference” for supporting the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.
In early August, the regime had announced the cancellation of military agreements with France, despite the presence of approximately 1,500 French soldiers in the country assisting in the fight against jihadism in the region.
Paris disregarded this move, citing legitimacy.
The military rulers had also declared the “expulsion” of the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, and revoked his diplomatic immunity, citing his presence as a threat to public order.
French President Emmanuel Macron, however, praised Itte’s work in Niger on Monday and announced that he would remain in the country, despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave Niger a week earlier.