Niger's Coup Supporters Rally with Russian Flags, France and EU Cut Financial Support

Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup marched through the streets of the capital, Niamey, waving Russian flags and denouncing former colonial power France. The coup leaders' intentions regarding their relationship with Russia or Niger's Western partners remain unclear. While the mutineers claimed they overthrew the democratically elected president due to his failure to address growing jihadi violence, some analysts believe the coup is more about internal power struggles. Niger's security situation, although dire, is not as severe as neighboring Burkina Faso or Mali. Niger has been seen as a reliable partner for the West in the fight against extremism in the Sahel region. The African Union has issued a 15-day ultimatum for the junta to restore the democratically elected government, while France has suspended all development aid to Niger. The outcome of the situation remains uncertain, with ongoing tensions and negotiations.