Blinken Talks to Former President of Niger About the Coup

JAKARTA - United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a phone call with the former president of Niger, Mohamed Issoufou.

Blinken expressed "deep concern" at the continued detention of the current President, Mohamed Bazoum, and his family, in "worsening conditions".

"The secretary of state conveyed that he is deeply disappointed by the refusal of those who seized power in Niger to release members of the Bazoum family in good faith," wrote Department of Foreign Affairs (Deplu) spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Saturday, August 12.

"The secretary of state assured the former president of the US' continued dedication to finding a peaceful resolution that ensures that Niger can remain a solid partner in security and development in the region," Miller added.

The phone call came a day after Blinken voiced support for efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc following the coup.

"ECOWAS, an organization that unites West African countries, played a major role in making clear the imperative to return to the constitutional order," Blinken told reporters during a news conference with his Mexican counterpart, Alicia Barcena Ibarra.

"We fully support ECOWAS's leadership and efforts in this regard," he said further.

ECOWAS ordered the activation of its standby force on Thursday to "restore constitutional order" in Niger.

Bazoum was ousted on July 26 in a military coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of Niger's presidential guard, who had declared himself head of a transitional government.

Bazoum has since been reportedly held hostage at the presidential palace in the nation's capital, Niamey.