OFFICIAL delegations from Burkina Faso and Mali travelled to their troubled neighbour Niger today.

The west African countries said that the delegation’s trip to the capital Niamey was an expression of solidarity after an Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) deadline to free detained president Mohamed Bazoum and restore him to power passed on Sunday.

As well as placing travel and trade sanctions on Niger, Ecowas threatened military intervention if its demands were not met.

Mr Bazoum was overthrown by a coup initiated by members of his own presidential guard on July 26.

Led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who has now been pronounced the new head of state, the new rulers have cited the worsening security situation in the country as the main reason for their uprising.

Mr Bazoum’s overthrow took place amid a wave of anti-colonial sentiment in the region, directly particularly against France, whose former empire included Niger.

A statement from the French Communist Party condemned the coup and called for the unconditional release of president Bazoum.

However, it also condemned “plans for military intervention by neighbouring countries and Ecowas” and called on the French government to stop encouraging such action. 

On Sunday, thousands of cheering supporters of the military coup gathered in a stadium in the Nigerien capital Niamey.

Addressing more than 30,000 people, General Mohamed Toumba, one of the coup leaders, denounced those “lurking in the shadows” who were “plotting subversion” against “the forward march of Niger.” 

Manuel De Los Santos of the New York-based People’s Forum said it was “impressive to see the people of Niger standing up against all the threats and ultimatums of military intervention and sanctions by the US/France and Ecowas.”

So far, the coup leaders have shown no sign of giving way.

Ecowas military chiefs had agreed a plan for a possible military intervention to respond to the crisis.

But neighbouring Nigeria’s Senate pushed back against the proposal and urged President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, the current chairman of Ecowas, to explore options other than the use of force.  

Algeria and Chad, non-Ecowas neighbours with powerful armed forces in the region, have both expressed opposition to military action.

Left-wing Irish MEP Mick Wallace, tweeted: “Africa has had enough of Western puppet governments that serve the interests of Western corporations who have continued to exploit Africa at great expense to the majority of the people. 

“People of Niger want change and the European Union and the United States should leave Niger to its own people to sort out.”