Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum was seen for the first time since the military detained him in a coup as he met with Chad’s leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The meeting comes as West African leaders gave the junta a seven-day ultimatum to relinquish power or face potential military action. Chad’s President Déby is leading mediation efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis that has gripped Niger since the coup.
As tensions escalate, Ecowas, the regional bloc, has warned that they will take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order if the junta does not comply with their demands. This could include the use of force, and military chiefs are preparing for intervention. The junta has yet to respond to the ultimatum but has vowed to defend Niger from any aggression by regional or Western powers.
The coup has raised concerns that Niger, a key ally in the fight against jihadist groups in West Africa, might shift its alliances. Neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali have already moved towards Russia after staging their own coups in recent years. Protesters outside the French embassy in Niamey expressed their sentiments, chanting in favor of Russia and against France, and even set fire to the embassy compound. France, a former colonial power with military bases in Niger, has warned that it will respond firmly to any attack on its interests in the country.
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