Supporters of Niger coup rally in capital
KAMPALA, Uganda, (AA) – Thousands of supporters of Niger’s military coup gathered in the capital Niamey on Sunday in support of its leaders.
Jubilation filled the air at the 30,000-seat General Seyni Kountche Stadium as members of the ruling National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country (CNSP) arrived.
Slogans hostile to France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were chanted or displayed on placards, including “No to sanctions,” “Down with France!” and “Stop military intervention.”
Many of the supporters carried Russian flags and portraits of CNSP leaders. The stadium, named after Seyni Kountche, who led Niger’s first coup d’état in 1974, was almost full.
ECOWAS has threatened to use force if ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated. The regional organization indicated on Friday that the “day of intervention has been fixed.”
Speaking to Anadolu in Kampala, Huthaifa Busuulwa, a university lecturer, said that celebration of the people following the downfall of democratically elected leaders is a manifestation of frustration with the performance of the people in power, who have failed to deliver on their promises. He said that citizens celebrate military intervention in the hope that it will pave the way for a more effective form of civilian government.
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