Protesters in their hundreds paraded the streets of Niamey on Saturday demanding the exit of US troops and ending the country’s accord with the US.
The military government in Niger had earlier ended its military accord with the United States. Furthermore, authorities in the West African country brought in Russian military instructors.
The protesters waved Nigerien flags while carrying placards reading, “USA rush out of Niger” in showing their support for the government and its decision to revoke its accord with the Americans.
Before the coup, Niger was a key security partner with the US and France, its former colonial master.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso all ended their military deals with their erstwhile Western allies, quitted ECOWAS – the regional bloc, and fostered closer ties with Russia.
Russian military instructors and their equipment arrived in Niger on Wednesday. It was another proof of the regime’s closer ties with Russia.
Although some Russian flags were seen at the protest, some residents were not pleased with the presence of the Russians.
Souleymane Ousmane said, “This is how the French and the Americans and all other countries settled in Niger – from military cooperation, they ended up occupying large parts of our country,” he told Reuters.
