Niger: two killed and 17 injured in clash with French military convoy

Force used against protesters who blocked vehicles amid rising anger over France's presence in former colonies

At least two people were killed and 18 injured in western Niger on Saturday when protesters clashed with a French military convoy they blocked after it crossed the border from Burkina Faso, Niger's government said.

The armoured vehicles and logistics trucks had crossed the border on Friday after being blocked in Burkina Faso for a week by demonstrations there against French forces' failure to stop mounting violence by Islamist militants.