Thousands of Niger Republic citizens came out and celebrated the first anniversary of the Niger military junta.
They were dressed in clothes bearing photos of regime members, chanting the name of junta chief, Abdourahamane Tiani.
“We’re celebrating, our dear country will gradually regain its sovereignty,” said Fati Hassane, part of a women’s group formed since the coup, as vuvuzelas blared in the background.
At the stadium hosting the anniversary event there was high security, including armoured vehicles around the venue.
Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, claimed that the country had not witnessed such massive support for an event.
“Never in our country’s recent history has an event received such great popular support,” said Lamine.
When the military junta chief, Tiani arrived to the beats of a traditional drum to greet attendees, he failed to address the crowd.
The July 26 coup anniversary was declared a public holiday.
The junta has expelled French forces last year while the departure of US troops is expected to be finalised in August.
Niger has also distanced itself from some West African nations, severing ties with the regional bloc ECOWAS.
But it has formed a “confederation” with military leaders ruling Burkina Faso and Mali, who sent representatives to the anniversary event.
All three are fighting jihadist groups, with the Niger junta using the security situation as a justification for its coup.
Attacks have continued, however, with dozens of civilians and soldiers killed in recent months.
“I’ve come to support the soldiers, they’re doing a good job so far,” said Ibrahim Niando, carrying a national flag.
There have been series of military takeovers in West African countries in recent times, a development that has sparked concerns among different stakeholders in the region.
Saharareporters
Leave a Reply