"Niger Coup: French Attack Authorized by Ousted Government, UN Envoy Seeks Constitutional Order Restoration Amid Pro-Coup Protests"

The coup leaders in Niger have alleged that the ousted government authorized France to carry out an attack on the presidential palace to free President Mohamed Bazoum. France rejected the allegations and stated that it is still possible to restore Bazoum to power. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given the coup leader a week to hand back power or face potential forceful intervention. ECOWAS has also imposed strict sanctions on Niger, including suspending all commercial and financial transactions and freezing assets. The coup leaders have made a series of arrests, leading to concerns of a dictatorial regime.