The BBC gains access to the West African country which is among the world's most deadly for jihadist attacks.
The West African country of Niger is among the world's most deadly for attacks by jihadists. Following a military coup in July, there are fears a decision to order 1,500 French troops in the country to leave may further embolden insurgents.
Adama blames France - which has had 1,500 troops in the region to fight Islamist militants - for the failure to contain the violence. "The army has never stayed in power long in Niger," Adama says, referring to the five coups that have rocked the country since its independence from France in 1960. On Fridays the protesters hold a prayer sit-in. In the scorching midday heat, Imam Abdoulaziz Abdoulaye Amadou advises the crowd to be patient.
As we jostle for an interview with him, he points to my producer and tells the crowd: "You see, people say we don't like white people, but we welcome them with open arms." "The rushed departure of the French has led to a deterioration of the security situation in Mali and Burkina Faso. France nowadays has become a scapegoat to get people out on the street, blaming it for all our problems.
"Unlike in Mali, the French army played a more supportive role in Niger, helping local troops in a more limited capacity" he says. "The Nigerien army already had lots of experience fighting terror groups, especially on the eastern front against Boko Haram." "The lack of cooperation between the three countries was one of the reasons terror groups could easily cross from one territory into the next," he says. "There's already been two or three joint military operations between these three countries. This increased cooperation is putting real pressure on the insurgents.
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