On Friday, Niger’s junta assembled hundreds of people in the capital Niamey to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the coup.

The audience, dressed in costumes with images of regime officials, chanted the name of junta commander Abdourahamane Tiani.

“We’re celebrating, and our dear country will gradually regain its sovereignty,” said Fati Hassane, a member of a women’s club created after the coup, while vuvuzelas blared in the background.

The stadium hosting the centennial event was heavily guarded, with armoured vehicles circling the arena.

Tiani entered to the sound of a traditional drum to greet attendees, but did not address them.

“Never in our country’s recent history has an event received such great popular support,” remarked Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.

The July 26th coup anniversary was declared a public holiday.

After gaining control, the junta evacuated French forces last year, and the withdrawal of US troops is due to be completed in August.
Niger has also severed ties with certain West African nations, including ECOWAS.

However, it has forged a “confederation” with the military commanders of Burkina Faso and Mali, who sent officials to the anniversary ceremony.

All three are fighting Islamist groups, and the Niger junta used the security situation to justify their coup.

Attacks have continued, killing dozens of civilians and military in recent months.

“I’ve come to support the soldiers; they’re doing a good job so far,” said Ibrahim Niando, holding a national flag.

Niger has also grown closer to Turkey, Iran, and Russia, whose flags could be seen at the stadium.