A massive rally took place in Niamey, Niger’s capital, with hundreds of coup supporters gathering at Independence Square.

The rally was organized by a coalition of civil society associations on the occasion of the country’s independence from France in 1960.

Demonstrators waved giant Russian flags, expressing their desire for security, regardless of the country providing it.

Some protesters criticized France’s presence in Niger, accusing them of looting the country since independence.

France currently maintains around 1,500 troops in Niger to combat the rising jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region.

The coup has raised concerns in Western nations struggling to counter the jihadist threat that has spread from northern Mali to Niger and Burkina Faso.

Supporters of the junta believe that Russia could be a more effective ally in dealing with the security challenges in the region compared to France.