In Niger, the leader of the military junta that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 says he will defy any attempts to restore the former president by force, as leaders of the ECOWAS bloc of West African countries threatened military action unless the coup is reversed by August 6. General Abdourahamane Tchiani made the comments in a nationally televised address on Wednesday.

Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani: “The National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland rejects all sanctions and refuses to yield to any threat, wherever it may come from. We reject any interference in Niger’s internal affairs.”

Major cities across Niger have been experiencing rolling blackouts after Nigeria cut supplies of electricity as part of sanctions imposed on Niger. This week, French soldiers evacuated hundreds of French nationals and other Europeans from Niger. And on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department ordered the evacuation of nonemergency personnel and family members from its embassy in Niger’s capital, Niamey. The Biden administration told CNN it has no plans to withdraw some 1,100 U.S. troops in Niger.