Protests in Niger continue to call for French forces to leave country
NIAMEY, NIGER – Hundreds of protestors gathered in Niger’s capital Niamey on Thursday in the latest protests against the presence of French troops in the West African country, where the military ousted the elected yet unpopular president more than a month ago.
Along with hundreds of protesters, Nigerien singer Aichatou Ali Soumaila also participated in the night-long demonstration and supported protests with her songs.
Niger was plunged into turmoil on July 26 when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, led a military intervention that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
After the coup, the junta government demanded that the French soldiers leave the country immediately.
The French military warned it would respond if any renewed tensions targeted its military and diplomatic facilities in Niger, which hosts around 1,500 French troops as part of a regional counterinsurgency force.
Bazoum was deeply resented by the public due to corruption and being supported by French and Western allies. He had also failed to restore law and order in the country.
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