Members of the military regime were greeted by cheers when they arrived at a sports arena in Niamey where people had gathered on Sunday.
The People’s Assembly expressed its defiance both against Ecowas and against the former colonial power France, which also demanded that the junta relinquish power. A hen wrapped in the colors of France was beheaded.
The capital is known as a stronghold of the opposition against Bazoum, who has been imprisoned in his residence since the July 26 military coup.
— We must fight to preserve this revolution. We will not back down when faced with the enemy, Adama Oumarou, a resident of Niamey, told AFP.
Supporters of the junta in Niger hold up a Russian flag during Sunday’s demonstration in support of the new military rule. Neighboring countries advise
The West African Cooperation Organization Ecowas had set a deadline of Sunday for the junta in Niger to relinquish power and release Bazoum. Ecowa’s military chiefs of staff have agreed on a plan for a possible intervention to respond to the military coup, the latest of several to hit the Sahel region since 2020.
But several African leaders warn of the consequences of a military intervention. Leaders of Algeria and Chad, which are not part of Ecowas, have aired their opposition to military violence.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said in a television interview on Saturday night that a military intervention in neighboring Niger would pose a “direct threat” to Algeria:
— What does the situation look like today in countries that have experienced military interventions?, he said, pointing to Libya and Syria.
— We categorically reject any military intervention.
Splitting within Ecowas
Even within Ecowas there is resistance to acting militarily against the junta in Niger. Mali and Burkina Faso, where military juntas have been in power since 2020, have said any regional intervention would amount to a “declaration of war” against them.
In Nigeria, south of the Niger, several political leaders on Saturday asked President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as chairman of Ecowas, to reconsider the threat of military intervention against the junta leaders.
As Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, Nigeria would play a leading role in any intervention.
During a meeting with the country’s senate, the president was urged to further encourage the other leaders of Ecowas to strengthen the political and diplomatic options, Senate President Godswill Akpabio told journalists.
Senators from northern Nigeria, seven of which share a border of about 1,500 kilometers with Niger, have already refrained from intervening until all other options have been exhausted.