Former Niger rebel announces internal anti-coup movement

Former rebel Rhissa Ag Boula said Wednesday he would lead a faction opposing the military junta that took power two weeks ago. Boula, who is also a former minister of tourism in Niger, announced the Council of Resistance for the Republic’s intent to reinstate the overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum. Boula described the coup as “a tragedy orchestrated by people charged with protecting it,” and hopes to restore the people’s right to political choice.

What’s the status of the coup? The United States, the United Nations, and multiple African nations continue calling for the junta to reinstate Bazoum. Meanwhile, the military governments of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso have backed Niger’s junta. The Economic Community of West African States will meet Thursday to discuss restoring order with military force. ECOWAS also placed sanctions on Niger, barring all financial transactions with the country and closing their borders to travel.

Dig deeper: Read Sharon Dierberger’s report in WORLD Magazine on Myanmar natives reacting to a 2021 military coup.