WHIA Week in Picture

NIAMEY, Niger

Thousands of people backing the coup in Niger marched through the streets of the capital denouncing the country’s former colonial power, and setting a door at the French Embassy ablaze on Sunday before the army broke up the crowd.

The Russian mercenary group Wagner is operating in neighboring Mali, and President Vladimir Putin would like to expand his country’s influence in the region. The new junta’s leaders have not said whether they would move toward Moscow or stick with Niger’s Western partners.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that attacks on France and its interests would not be tolerated and anyone who attacks French citizens will see an immediate response.