NIGER COUP UPDATE: RUSSIA WARNS ECOWAS, NIGERIENS REACT AS TINUBU FACES BACKLASH IN NIGERIA

 

NIGER COUP: RUSSIA WARNS ECOWAS, NIGERIENS REACT AS TINUBU FACES BACKLASH IN NIGERIA

Russia has warned that military intervention in Niger would lead to a "protracted confrontation" after regional bloc ECOWAS said it would assemble a standby force.

Military officials from ECOWAS countries are reportedly set to meet on Saturday to draft plans for a military intervention.

ECOWAS  has said it remains open to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis, but Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that "No option is taken off the table, including the use of force as a last resort".

Such an intervention would destabilise the Sahel region as a whole, the Russian foreign ministry said.

Russia does not formally back the coup.

But the US, which backs efforts to restore deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum, says its Wagner mercenary group is taking advantage of the instability.

On Friday coup supporters, some waving Russian flags, protested at a French military base near the capital NIamey, some chanting "down with France, down with ECOWAS".

Both France and the US operate military bases in Niger and they have been used to launch operations against jihadist groups in the wider region.

The US has not explicitly backed military action but has called on the junta to step aside and allow the restoration of the country's democratic constitution.

The Niger junta has not responded to the latest statements from ECOWAS leaders.

Mr Bazoum was a staunch ally of the West in the fight against militant Islamists, and was a strong economic partner as well.

Niger hosts a French military base and is the world's seventh biggest producer of uranium. The fuel is vital for nuclear power with a quarter of it going to Europe, especially former colonial power France.

Since General Abdourahamane Tchiani overthrew the president in a coup on 26 July, Russian colours have suddenly appeared on the streets.

Thousands took part in a protest in the capital Niamey , with some waving Russian flags and even attacking the French embassy.

It now seems this "movement" is spreading across the country.

Niger is home to 24.4 million people where two in every five live in extreme poverty, on less than $2.15 a day.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has since been facing a backlash from Nigerians. There was strong opposition to military intervention at a session of the upper chamber of parliament, the Senate, despite the fact that it is controlled by Tinubu's political party (APC).

 

This was especially the case among lawmakers representing states along the more than 1,500km (930 mile)-long border with Niger.There has also been countrywide condemnation of the possibility of war.

Meanwhile, Nigerians resident in Niger Republic have appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate their evacuation and return home before any possible offensive against the coup plotters by the Economic Community of West Africa States’ forces to restore constitutional governance.