Frequent outages have hit the power supply in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, with almost all residential buildings left without electricity, but the situation in the country remains calm, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Thursday.
Despite recent statements about strikes against bases of the Nigerien National Guard by pro-French forces, the situation in Niamey remains peaceful, the correspondent reported. There was a traffic jam in the center of the capital city at night, but no military vehicles were seen in the area.
On Wednesday, the Nigerien coup leadership said that one of its bases had been attacked by "terrorists" released by France and that a French military jet had violated the country's airspace. Paris rejected the allegations.
A coup took place in Niger on July 26 during which incumbent President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. The caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland closed the country's borders and broke security agreements with France, its former colonizer.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave coup leaders one week to reinstate Bazoum and restore order, hinting that it would resort to military intervention otherwise. Its ultimatum expired this past Sunday.
Mali and Burkina Faso, also ECOWAS members, have rejected the intervention scenario in Niger, a sign of discord in the ranks of what is generally considered a pro-French regional alliance.