“Thousands” of demonstrators massed in front of the French embassy in Niamey, according to a journalist from Figaro, present on the spot. They chanted anti-France songs and waved Russian flags. The atmosphere was particularly tense, especially towards the journalists covering the event. The demonstrators were then dispersed by tear gas canisters.
They gathered at a rally in support of General Tchiani’s putschist soldiers, who overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum, in Niger.
“We want France to get out,” shouted Hassane, a demonstrator. “France has been dictating its will to Africans for 60 years. This must stop. Niger must regain its sovereignty. Thanks to General Tiani, this will soon be the case!”
“We want Russia. We want our partners to accompany us in our independence. We want to follow the example of our cousins from Mali and Burkina,” commented Abdoulaye, draped in a Russian flag.
The plate displaying “French Embassy in Niger” was torn off, according to AFP, then trampled on the tarmac and replaced by Russian and Nigerien flags. And some protesters tried to enter the building.
France will respond “immediately and intractably” in the event of an attack against its nationals, reacted the Elysee. “Nigerian forces have an obligation to ensure the security of our diplomatic and consular rights of way under the Vienna Conventions,” warned the Quai d’Orsay, condemning the violence. “We urge them to fulfill this obligation imposed on them by international law,” continued the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As a reminder, 500 to 600 French nationals are currently in Niger, according to the Quai d’Orsay.
