On Sunday, thousands of supporters of the military junta in Niger Republic gathered at a stadium to express their backing for the new regime. This display of solidarity coincided with the approaching deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
A video shared by LSI Africa depicted a vast crowd enthusiastically cheering members of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the newly established military council that now holds power. The event took place at the Seyni Kountche Stadium, with many attendees waving Nigerien flags and some even holding Russian flags. The stadium is named after Seyni Kountche, who led Niger’s first coup d’état in 1974.
Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of the presidential guard responsible for overthrowing Bazoum, asserted that the coup was deemed necessary to combat “bad governance and worsening security” in the country. General Mohamed Toumba, one of the CNSP leaders, denounced those engaged in clandestine activities aimed at subverting the progress of Niger. He warned that their cunning plans were well known.
ECOWAS had issued a one-week ultimatum to the Nigerien coup leaders, demanding the restoration of order or the potential imposition of harsher sanctions, including military intervention.
Mali and Burkina Faso also cautioned ECOWAS against further interventions and expressed readiness to adopt “self-defense measures” in solidarity with the armed forces and people of Niger.
Numerous stakeholders and countries have implored the West African bloc to explore alternative mediation approaches rather than resorting to force.