Thousands rally in Niger in support of President Mahamadou Issoufou

Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou shakes hands with government officials at the opening ceremony of a flyover road built by Chinese company GSCI in Niamey, September 17, 2013. Photo: Reuters

Niamey, Niger: Thousands of supporters of Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou rallied in the capital Niamey on Saturday in a show of force against an increasingly well-organized and vocal opposition movement.

The rally, organized by a coalition of 36 pro-Issoufou parties in response to a huge opposition protest in December, took place amid growing tensions between the government and its opponents.