Protesters marched to a French military base in Niger's capital Niamey on Friday (August 11), where thousands of pro-coup supporters gathered for a demonstration as regional leaders were considering military intervention to restore civilian rule, Reuters reports.
Since the July 26 military ouster of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, many Nigeriens have joined junta-organized rallies to show support for the generals, criticize Western powers and laud Russia, which is vying for influence with the West in the region.
Popular anger is targeted at former colonial power France, whose forces were kicked out of Mali and Burkina Faso after the coups there and whose presence in Niger is under threat.
