Niger: thousands gather for rally to cheer coup generals as junta closes airspace

Thousands of coup supporters in Niger gathered on Sunday for a rally to cheer on the generals claiming power, as a deadline set by the west African bloc for the military to relinquish control or face possible armed intervention was due to elapse. Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► http://bit.ly/guardianwiressub The Ecowas bloc, chaired by the regional military powerhouse and Niger’s neighbour Nigeria, had given the troops that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on 26 July a week to return him to power. At the 30,000-seat Seyni Kountché Stadium, named after Niger’s first coup d’etat leader in 1974, CNSP leaders including Gen Mohamed Toumba greeted a jubilant crowd – and showed no sign of willingness to cede power. The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► https://bit.ly/3uhA7zg Sign up to the Guardian's free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► http://theguardian.com/first-edition Website ► https://www.theguardian.com Facebook ►  / theguardian   Twitter ►   / guardian   Instagram ►   / guardian   The Guardian on YouTube: The Guardian ► https://bit.ly/guardiannewssubs Guardian Australia ► https://bit.ly/guardianaussubs Guardian Football ► https://bit.ly/gdnfootballsubs Guardian Sport ► https://bit.ly/gdnsportsubs Guardian Live ► https://bit.ly/guardianlivesubs #Niger #Africa #Coup #Politics #Military #News