Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in front of a French military base in Niamey, the capital of Niger, today, Saturday, demanding the departure of its forces following the military coup that received widespread popular support, though Paris refuses to recognize it. The coup, which occurred on July 26, has raised concerns among global powers that fear a shift towards military rule in West and Central Africa, which has experienced eight coups since 2020.
Protesters slaughtered a goat dressed in the French flag in front of the military base today and carried coffins wrapped in the French flag in front of a row of Nigerian soldiers. Others held signs calling for France to leave. Reuters reporters noted that "this is the largest gathering to date since the coup, indicating sustained support for the military council and increasing anti-France sentiment."
