National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Yinka Oyebanji
Thousands of protesters supporting the ongoing coup in Niger have attacked the French embassy in the country’s capital, Niamey.
The demonstrators who were spotted waving Russian flags, destroyed, windows and also set a perimeter door of the embassy on fire
They however could not pass through the breached walls of the embassy compound.
They also throng to the streets riding motorcycles, and vehicles with large numbers of people on each.
The protesters also blocked cars at traffic circles, backing up traffic on side streets. Some shouted and waved flags, mostly from Niger.
West African nations had earlier held an emergency summit in Nigeria and announced sweeping sanctions on Niger unless President Mohammed Bazoum was released from detention and returned to power.
The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave the coup leaders one week to reverse their seizure of power or face possible military intervention.
ECOWAS suspended all financial transactions with Niger, freezing Niger’s assets in central and commercial banks and imposing a travel ban and asset freeze on military officers involved in the coup.
For decades, France ruled Niger as a colonial power until it gained independence in 1960. Paris has retained an influential role since and currently has about 1,500 troops conducting joint operations with local forces against Islamist extremists. A French state-owned firm also operates a uranium mine in the country’s north.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that assaults on France and its interests would not be tolerated.
“France calls for an end to the unacceptable violence observed today,” said the French foreign ministry, adding that it had stepped up security at the country’s embassy in Niamey.
France also said it supported the statement from the West African leaders in ECOWAS denouncing the coup.
