The ECOWAS leaders gave the coup leaders a seven day ultimatum to stand down and restore power to the democratically elected president Bazoum, or face the possible consequences which may involve the use of force.
Following the refusal of the military leaders to back down, France declared support for West African regional bloc ECOWAS bid to fight against military rule in Niger.
However, Niger has informed its former colonial arm, France, that it will not condone any form of interference from the European country regarding the state of affairs in the country.
This is as a result of the resentment of Nigeriens towards France fueled by colonial legacies. Niger is a country rich in uranium. The mineral is useful for nuclear power and it is usually exported to Europe and most of it goes to France.
In the wake of the coup, pro-Russian protesters in Niger have shown support for Russia in place of France, expressing their displeasure with how France handled their mineral resources.
Bazoum's government, which was targeted by the jihadists since he was elected in 2021, gave way for Russia to penetrate the Sahel region through Mali and Burkina Faso, extending military support to them.
This strengthened the relationship between Russia and the Sahel region and led to France's decline of power in the region subsequently.
President Bazoum is pro-Western. This is the reason why France and the United States support the plans of the ECOWAS leaders to fight against military rule.
The Western countries, France and the United States have continued to express their concern towards restoring democracy to Niger stating that the country's military rule may have grave consequences on the continent's fragile democracy.
Following the refusal of the military leaders to back down, France declared support for West African regional bloc ECOWAS bid to fight against military rule in Niger.
However, Niger has informed its former colonial arm, France, that it will not condone any form of interference from the European country regarding the state of affairs in the country.
This is as a result of the resentment of Nigeriens towards France fueled by colonial legacies. Niger is a country rich in uranium. The mineral is useful for nuclear power and it is usually exported to Europe and most of it goes to France.
In the wake of the coup, pro-Russian protesters in Niger have shown support for Russia in place of France, expressing their displeasure with how France handled their mineral resources.
Bazoum's government, which was targeted by the jihadists since he was elected in 2021, gave way for Russia to penetrate the Sahel region through Mali and Burkina Faso, extending military support to them.
This strengthened the relationship between Russia and the Sahel region and led to France's decline of power in the region subsequently.
President Bazoum is pro-Western. This is the reason why France and the United States support the plans of the ECOWAS leaders to fight against military rule.
The Western countries, France and the United States have continued to express their concern towards restoring democracy to Niger stating that the country's military rule may have grave consequences on the continent's fragile democracy.