Title: Massive support for the military junta in Niger: a people in search of freedom and resistance
Introduction :
This August 3, national holiday in Niger, took an exceptional turn this year. As the country celebrates the 63rd anniversary of its independence, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Niamey to express their support for the military putschists who are now in power. In this article, we will come back to the highlights of this historic demonstration and to the demands of the Nigerien people in search of freedom and resistance against foreign interference.
Massive support for the military junta:
This morning, thousands of people gathered peacefully at Place de la Concertation in Niamey for a two-hour rally. Among them, we could see men, young people and members of civil society, all united in their support for the putschist soldiers. Speeches by civil society representatives underlined their opposition to the French military presence and foreign interference in the country’s affairs. Many participants wore clothes in the colors of Niger and effigies of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the junta and the main responsible for the coup.
Clear demands:
Beyond support for the military junta, the demonstrators expressed their dissatisfaction with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This regional organization issued a one-week ultimatum to the putschists to lay down their arms. The demonstrators also denounced the French military presence and chanted slogans against this foreign interference. They also demanded the restoration of national sovereignty and the construction of a free and independent Niger.
Mobilization across the country:
The demonstration of support for the military junta was not limited to Niamey. In Agadez, an emblematic city in the center of the country, hundreds of people also expressed their solidarity with the putschists. This mobilization marks a turning point in the crisis, because Agadez had not taken sides since the start of the events. On the other hand, the economic capital Maradi, located near the border with Nigeria, was impacted by the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS, which kept the situation calm in the city.
Conclusion :
The demonstration in support of the military junta in Niger witnessed massive support from the population seeking freedom and resistance against foreign interference. The clear demands expressed by the demonstrators highlight their determination to restore national sovereignty and to build a free and independent Niger. It remains to be seen what the repercussions of this mobilization will be on the evolution of the political situation in the country