These military actions, which were portrayed in the U.S. and French media as “undemocratic,” had strong popular support. The first took place in Mali in 2020, the last in Niger in 2023. They all led to the expulsion of French troops and a reduction of U.S. intervention emanating from the CIA’s base in Niger.

The joint statement, published on the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland of Niger webpage, read, “ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers and having betrayed its founding principles, has become a threat to member states and their peoples […] the organization has failed to assist our countries in the fight against terrorism and insecurity.”

Col. Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for Niger’s junta, reading from a statement in a televised address, said ECOWAS had turned away from “the ideals of its founders.”

The three countries have formed a mutual defense pact and hired Russian advisors to supply the military technical aid that the French troops previously provided.

It is still not clear what the outcome will be, but it is clear that the masses of the three countries are engaged and active.