A student told Sputnik that the purpose of the rally was to say no to the sanctions that ECOWAS and the international community had adopted against the people of Niger, adding that "these are sanctions that were adopted illegally because ECOWAS has no legitimate capacity today to want to send military to invade any territory, irrespective of any change of power."
For a long time, Niger had been exploited and deprived of its own resources, the demonstrators said.
"Young people took to the streets to say no to imperialism and external governance, and to say yes to sovereignty, full sovereignty, which as we know belongs to the people," one of the students added.
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard ousted and detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself interim leader and the president of caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).
On Sunday, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger and gave coup leaders one week to reinstate the detained president, or it would use "all measures," including military, to restore order. CNSP urged Nigeriens to protest against ECOWAS and vowed to respond to any aggression.