Niger coup supporters protest near French military base in Niamey

Niamey, The Gulf Observer: Hundreds of supporters of the military administration in Niger have rallied near the French military base in the nation’s capital of Niamey in the latest protest against the presence of French troops in the West African country.

Like previous protests, demonstrators carried placards on Saturday with anti-French slogans and accused France of interfering in the country’s affairs, according to social video footage.

They chanted anti-French sentiments and threatened to storm the French Embassy and the French military base, if French troops and its ambassador do not leave the country.

“We have the right to choose the partners we want,” said Ramatou Ibrahim Boubacar, wearing Nigerien flags from head to toe.

The protests came a day after the military administration issued an ultimatum for the French ambassador to leave the country for reportedly ignoring an invitation for a meeting at the Foreign Ministry and other actions of the French government deemed contrary to Niger’s interests.