Niger’s military ruler warns against foreign meddling, urges population to defend the country

Gen. Tchiani warns against foreign meddling and calls on Niger's people to defend nation. ECOWAS threatens military force if ousted President Bazoum not reinstated by Aug. 6. West countries condemn coup, while Russia and western countries vie for influence. Evacuations of Europeans underway as US orders temporary departure of nonessential embassy staff. ECOWAS defence chiefs meet to discuss next steps. Sanctions include halting energy transactions with Niger. Activists call for residents to mobilise and block airport until foreign military personnel leave.

Niger's new military ruler lashed out at neighbouring countries and the international community in a nationally televised speech on August 2 night and called on the population to be ready to defend the nation.

In one of the few addresses to the West African country since seizing power from Niger's democratically-elected president a week ago, General Abdourahmane Tchiani warned against foreign meddling and military intervention against the coup.

OPINION | Coup in Niger: On the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum

"We therefore call on the people of Niger as a whole and their unity to defeat all those who want to inflict unspeakable suffering on our hard-working populations and destabilise our country," General Tchiani said.

General Tchiani, who commands Niger's presidential guard, also promised to create the conditions for a peaceful transition to elections following his ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum.

His speech comes amid rising regional tensions as the West African regional bloc ECOWAS threatens to use military force if Mr. Bazoum is not released from house arrest and reinstated by August 6. The bloc has imposed severe travel and economic sanctions.

The coup has been strongly condemned by western countries, many of which saw Niger as the last reliable partner for the West in efforts to battle jihadis linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africa's Sahel region. Russia and western countries have been vying for influence in the fight against extremism.