Russia on Friday again opposed any armed intervention in Niger, saying the use of force would lead to “severe destabilization” in the country, where a coup took place more than two weeks ago, AFP reported.

“We believe that a military approach to resolving the crisis in Niger can lead to a long-term confrontation in this African country and serious destabilization of the situation in the entire Sahara and Sahel region,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Protests against France with Russian flags

Thousands of supporters of the military regime established by a coup d’état in Niger gathered peacefully on Friday outside the French military base in Niamey, chanting slogans hostile to France, AFP journalists found.

“Out with France, out with ECOWAS,” protesters chanted at a rally a day after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit gave the green light to a possible military intervention to restore Mohamed Bazoom, the ousted July 26 president.

They also waved Russian and Nigerian flags and shouted in support of the military that came to power, especially their leader, General Abdurahamane Tiani.

“We will force the French to leave! Ecowas is not independent, it is manipulated by France, there is external influence,” said Aziz Rabe Ali, a member of the student union that supports the military regime.

According to AFP journalists, the action continued late in the afternoon and was peaceful.

Since coming to power, the military has made France its main target, accusing it of being behind ECOWAS’ decision to activate and deploy its “reserve forces” in Niger to restore constitutional order.