Niger: thousands gather for rally to cheer coup generals as junta closes airspace
Thousands of coup supporters in Niger gathered on Sunday for a rally to cheer on the generals claiming power, as a deadline set by the west African bloc for the military to relinquish control or face possible armed intervention was due to elapse.
Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► http://bit.ly/guardianwiressub
The Ecowas bloc, chaired by the regional military powerhouse and Niger’s neighbour Nigeria, had given the troops that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on 26 July a week to return him to power.
At the 30,000-seat Seyni Kountché Stadium, named after Niger’s first coup d’etat leader in 1974, CNSP leaders including Gen Mohamed Toumba greeted a jubilant crowd – and showed no sign of willingness to cede power.
The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► https://bit.ly/3uhA7zg
Sign up to the Guardian's free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► http://theguardian.com/first-edition
Website ► https://www.theguardian.com
Facebook ►https://www.facebook.com/theguardian
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/guardian
Instagram ► https://instagram.com/guardian
The Guardian on YouTube:
The Guardian ► https://bit.ly/guardiannewssubs
Guardian Australia ► https://bit.ly/guardianaussubs
Guardian Football ► https://bit.ly/gdnfootballsubs
Guardian Sport ► https://bit.ly/gdnsportsubs
Guardian Live ► https://bit.ly/guardianlivesubs
#Niger #Africa #Coup #Politics #Military #News