Protesters with Russian flags attack French embassy in Niger as African leaders hold emergency meeting

Thousands of supporters of the junta that seized power in Niger marched through the capital, Niamey, denouncing France and waving Russian flags. The protesters set fire to a door at the French Embassy before being dispersed by the Nigerien army. The West African bloc has suspended relations with Niger and authorized the use of force if the president is not reinstated within a week. The coup has raised uncertainty about Niger's future, with some questioning the junta's motives. While the junta claims it overthrew the president due to his failure to address growing jihadi violence, analysts suggest internal power struggles may be the real reason. Niger's security situation, though dire, is not as severe as neighboring Burkina Faso or Mali. France, the US, and other Western countries have been supporting Niger in its fight against jihadists. The African Union has given the junta a 15-day ultimatum to restore the democratically elected government.