France get out,” the demonstrators chanted, repeating slogans heard at various rallies in Niamey since the coup d’etat on July 26. Niger’s military regime had fired a new verbal broadside at France on Friday, accusing Paris of “blatant interference” by backing the country’s ousted president. Since then, tens of thousands of people have joined in the protest at a roundabout, close to the Niger military base where French soldiers are stationed. Niger’s military rulers have also announced the “expulsion” of the French ambassador Sylvain Itte and said they are withdrawing his diplomatic immunity. But French President Emmanuel Macron last Monday hailed Itte’s work in Niger and said he remained in the country despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave.
