Bazum noticed that he was taken hostage.
“In this difficult time, I ask for help. The people of Niger will never forget your support at this turning point in our history,” the publication reads.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum on July 30 demanding that Bazum return to power within a week. Otherwise, they threatened to launch a military operation. During a meeting in the Nigerian capital, the ECOWAS chiefs of staff will discuss the intervention plan in Niger.
Meanwhile, neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali have said that any foreign military intervention will be seen as a “declaration of war.” The two countries pledged to support the Niger army.
On August 3, in the city of Niamey (the capital of Niger), rallies in support of the security forces that came to power were held, with the participation of several thousand people. The demonstrators gathered in the Plaza de la Independencia. The crowd chanted “Down with France!” and “Long live Russia, long live Putin!”
