Niger Protesters Massing For Pro-Coup Demonstration

People have been gathering at a square in central Niamey, the capital of Niger, to show their support for last week’s military coup.

On the anniversary of the country’s independence a coalition of civil society organisations called for people to turn up to denounce the sanctions imposed by the West African regional bloc, Ecowas.

It says if President Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated it could use force.

A sizeable crowd of mostly young men has shown up at independence square.

There are anti French slogans and a few Russian flags.

Despite this show of support for the men who overthrew the president, many in Niger are against the coup.

There is a view that it was a move by senior soldiers who were at risk of being replaced and losing their power.

But now as they seek to justify the power grab, anti-French sentiment is being whipped up.

It’s a carbon copy of events in Mali and Burkina Faso where the coup leaders then strengthened ties with Russia.

BBC/Jide Johnson.