The French embassy in Niger is attacked as protesters waving Russian flags march through the capital

By SAM MEDNICK
Associated Press

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week have marched through the streets of the capital, Niamey, waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France. Russian mercenary group Wagner is already operating in neighboring Mali and Moscow would like to expand its influence in the region. The West African economic bloc ECOWAS says it’s suspending relations with Niger and has authorized the use of force if the president is not reinstated within a week.