Thousands of protesters throng Niger’s capital; slam France, ECOWAS

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in the Nigerien capital to voice their support for the country's military leaders, who seized power from pro-Western officials last month.

The rallies swept Niamey on Sunday, with participants chanting slogans against the country's former colonial power France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

ECOWAS, which is West Africa's main regional bloc, has threatened Niger's military leaders with military intervention to reinstate the country's former authorities.

Niger's new leaders, who toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, allege that France, a close ally of Bazoum, is behind ECOWAS' anti-coup stance.

The demonstrators waved placards reading, "Stop the military intervention" and "No to sanctions," in reference to financial and trade bans imposed on Niger by ECOWAS.

Despite mounting pressure, General Abdourahamane Tiani said in a Saturday address to the nation that the military leaders do not plan to "confiscate" power.

He added that the junta would launch a national dialogue on a transition back to civilian rule, which "should last no longer than three years."

Neither military leaders nor "the Nigerien people want war and remain open to dialogue," he added.

His remarks came after on Saturday, an ECOWAS delegation arrived in Niger's capital in what the bloc called was a final diplomatic push before deciding on whether to take military action.

ME