International pressure mounts on coup leaders in Niger while hundreds rally in support of junta

By SAM MEDNICK
Associated Press

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — International pressure is mounting on leaders of the coup in Niger. The American secretary of state said Thursday that the United States supports West African leaders who have threatened to use force to restore the nation’s democracy. Meanwhile, Senegal offered troops to help. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered general support for the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, though he did not specifically refer to its threat of military action. Blinken told reporters in New York that the U.S. believes the bloc’s efforts to reinstate toppled President Mohamed Bazoum are “important” and “strong” and have American support.