Situation in Niger After Military Coup
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

Niger's Civil Society Supports Mutineers, Condemns ECOWAS Sanctions: Activists

NIAMEY (Sputnik) - Niger's civil society supports the mutineers who came to power in the country in late July through a coup, and is angered by international sanctions, Nigerien social activists told Sputnik.
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"The fact that these military came to power is good for us, we support the military," Ibrahim Salissou, the communications and information secretary of the Revolutionary Front for African Sovereignty, said.
He also condemned the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African Nations (ECOWAS) on Niger and called them "inhumane."
Another civil activist, Baja Abdou from a movement promoting the interests of Nigeriens, also expressed solidarity with the rebel military government.
"People are very dissatisfied with ECOWAS, especially with the sanctions that were imposed against Niger," he told Sputnik.
He called "courageous" the decision by the mutineers to denounce military agreements with France.
On Tuesday, a survey published by a British newspaper showed that almost 80% of Nigeriens support the coup leaders.
Situation in Niger After Military Coup
'Every Time We Have Demonstration, Russian Flags Must Fly': Niger's Protesters
The coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, who later proclaimed himself the country's new leader. The caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland closed the country's borders, brushing aside security agreements with France, the country's former colonizer.
ECOWAS suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze rebels' assets and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country, as well as closed all borders. The organization also gave the 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.
On Thursday, the organization, after a second emergency summit, announced the activation of a multinational standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger. France and the United States have expressed support for ECOWAS' decision.