Thousands of Nigeriens marched through the streets of the nation’s capital Niamey on Saturday, denouncing the West African nation’s former colonizer, France, in support for the coup. The mob crowned its march with an unsuccessful attack on the French embassy, with some carrying the Russian flag.

This is by no mean an isolate incident in the former French colonies of Africa where anti-French sentiments run high, despite the seemingly cozy relationship between France and French-speaking African leaders.

Long before last Wednesday’s coup, The African magazine reporter Luc Abaki had shed light on the deep-rooted anti-French sentiments, a factor not to rule out for a full appreciation of the crisis in Niger.

Click here to read more