Pro-coup sympathizers demand the intervention of Russia, the departure of France to Niger. Two demonstrators helped us leave the scene by passing us off as the Russian press. A scenario that recalls the situation in Bamako in Mali, then in Burkina Faso.
https://twitter.com/annefleurjo/status/1685589753612095488
video
Budget:
The median annual salary for a person in Niger is 3,984,100 XOF. Lowest annual salary is 1,027,600 XOF.
https://worldsalaries.com/average-salary-in-niger/
That is about $560 and $144/month
https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=XOF&To=USD
Perhaps $50 x 300 persons = $15k for a few days + cost of Russian flags etc. Others will participate for free, to see or be part of the action.
On Saturday evening, the junta issued a statement calling on the citizens of the capital to take to the streets from 7 am local time to protest against ECOWAS and show support for the new military leaders. This invitation contradicts the ban on demonstrations decreed by the Ministry of the Interior on Friday, reinforcing the suspicion that the measure was intended to prevent demonstrations in favor of the President.
Moscow is acting in Niger through a social - political movement financed with Russian funds: the Movimento62, known by the abbreviation M62, created in September 2022 and composed of various organizations of Nigerien civil society. Its leader is Abdoulaye Seydou. The Movement62 has as its main objectives the re-establishment of the sovereignty of Niger and the dignity of the Nigerien people through real economic, political and military independence. The M62 makes no secret of its affiliation with Russia. In each of its manifestations, Russian flags and signs with the words “I Love Putin” appear. The M62 is currently used by coup plotters to organize popular demonstrations in its support.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani (59) is not well known outside military circles. As Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, a researcher at the Anglo-Saxon think tank International Crisis Group explains, Tchiani (in command of the presidential guard) built his military career in the shadow of the power exercised by the national army. He is a staunch ally of former President Mahamadou Issoufou, Bazoum’s predecessor, who appointed him head of the presidential guards in 2011.
Deposed President Bazoum kept him in office after taking over from Issoufou, who served two terms, but relations between the two have deteriorated in recent months. Reliable sources told the International Crisis Group that the week before the coup, President Bazoum was considering replacing Tchiani as head of the presidential guard. Unfortunately the intention was made known to the General that he started avoiding official ceremonies and activities to prepare for the coup by securing the support of the army, elite troops and the air force. The investigations conducted by ICG would confirm that the coup d’état in Niger has its origins in the internal power struggle of the government and the armed forces and would not be the work of the French, Americans or Russians.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani is originally from Filingue, an arid area about 200 kilometers northwest of the capital Niamey. Filingue (large area, roughly the size of South Korea) is located in the volatile Tillaberi region which has been repeatedly attacked for nearly eight years by insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as jihadists from neighboring Nigeria: Boko Haram.
The new junta includes senior officials, including Salifou Mody, the former chief of staff of the armed forces fired by President Bazoum last April.