Niger's Pro-Coup Rally Sparks Hope for Peaceful Transition of Power
Thousands of demonstrators in Niger rallied in support of the recent military coup, chanting slogans against France and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, which has threatened military intervention to restore the ousted leader. The military leaders have banned demonstrations but allow pro-coup rallies to proceed. The new military ruler proposed a three-year transition of power and warned against outside intervention. ECOWAS sent a diplomatic delegation to Niamey, and the bloc agreed on a potential date for military action. The military leaders accused France of influencing ECOWAS's anti-coup stance.