In Niger’s capital Niamey, banks, markets and other shops remained open, taxi drivers worked the whole day and members of the public went on with their normal activities.
“The city was more lively than ever before,” one resident said, adding that “the civil society was simply ignored by the population.”
Elsewhere, the organizers of the protest said they were “satisfied with the outcome” given the short time they had to prepare.
According to them, the “fight has just begun” and they expressed confidence that they will “achieve final victory.”
The civil society actors wanted to use the protest to demonstrate their disapproval of recent presidential elections that saw President Mahamadou Issoufou re-elected.
“Collective Citizen Resistance” said it would not accept that Niger’s democracy is weakened and some people use other means to retain power.
The group called for national prayers on Friday and said it plans to organize fresh protests on Saturday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
