Niger Coup Supporters Wave Russian Flags As West African Nations Threaten Use Of Force Against Junta

The protestors in the capital attacked the French Embassy—setting fire to a door and walls in the compound—while others carried signs which read “Down with France,” according to reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.

According to AP, the demonstrators also waved Russian flags and carried signs praising Putin, although it was unclear if Moscow was involved in organizing the gatherings.

The Russian mercenary group Wagner has maintained an active presence in West Africa and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin expressed support for the coup and even offered his fighters in the region to help the junta.

The coup’s leaders drew strong condemnation from the 15-nation regional bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which issued a statement Sunday demanding “a full restoration of constitutional order” in the country and reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum as its leader.

The bloc warned it is prepared to take “all measures necessary” to restore “constitutional order” in Niger, including “the use of force.”

The ECOWAS statement also condemned the “pronouncement of support” for the junta’s regime by “foreign governments and foreign private military contractors.”