Border closures and a freeze on financial transactions imposed after soldiers seized power are hurting millions, while Western nations remain divided over what to do.
But in Niamey, few openly regret him and many have instead welcomed the new military leaders amid perceptions that a decade of civilian rule, tainted by widespread allegations of corruption, had failed to improve their lives.
As shelves of food stores and pharmacies are emptying, anger is now building against the West African countries and France, the former colonizer whose presence in the region has set off a backlash that has grown in recent years.
The coup has also dealt a blow to yearslong efforts of military assistance and development aid provided by Western countries, including the United States, which saw Niger as their last hope for stabilization in a region plagued by growing security threats.
On a recent afternoon, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Niamey military base, where they slaughtered a rooster, France’s emblem, and carried a coffin they said was meant for President Emmanuel Macron.
Some European counterparts have shared similar frustrations about the French president, who claimed last month that Niger and neighboring countries would have collapsed without France’s help against Islamist insurgents over the past decade.
Under Mr. Bazoum, the ousted president, Niger had a projected economic growth rate of more than 12 percent for next year and was gaining encouraging, albeit fragile, results in the fight against Islamist insurgents roaming the broader Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert.
The original article contains 1,615 words, the summary contains 229 words. Saved 86%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
But in Niamey, few openly regret him and many have instead welcomed the new military leaders amid perceptions that a decade of civilian rule, tainted by widespread allegations of corruption, had failed to improve their lives.
As shelves of food stores and pharmacies are emptying, anger is now building against the West African countries and France, the former colonizer whose presence in the region has set off a backlash that has grown in recent years.
The coup has also dealt a blow to yearslong efforts of military assistance and development aid provided by Western countries, including the United States, which saw Niger as their last hope for stabilization in a region plagued by growing security threats.
On a recent afternoon, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Niamey military base, where they slaughtered a rooster, France’s emblem, and carried a coffin they said was meant for President Emmanuel Macron.
Some European counterparts have shared similar frustrations about the French president, who claimed last month that Niger and neighboring countries would have collapsed without France’s help against Islamist insurgents over the past decade.
Under Mr. Bazoum, the ousted president, Niger had a projected economic growth rate of more than 12 percent for next year and was gaining encouraging, albeit fragile, results in the fight against Islamist insurgents roaming the broader Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert.
The original article contains 1,615 words, the summary contains 229 words. Saved 86%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!