In Niger, military coup leaders ordered armed forces on maximum alert as they warned of a heightened threat of attacks by ECOWAS troops. The West African bloc has readied their forces to intervene if a diplomatic resolution to the coup is not reached. Meanwhile, Niger’s junta ordered the French ambassador to leave the country. Demonstrators rallied Friday to show support for the military rulers, one month after the July 26 coup.

Moussa Stable: “We’re not in the 18th century, where someone has to impose or dictate to us what we should do. No, this is about our independence. And I believe that if the CNSP takes a decision, it must be respected. France must realize that this is no longer the colonial era. Today we’re in the 21st century, and France must learn to respect our ideals if it wants things to move forward together.”