WASHINGTON - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Niger President Mohamed Bazoum to reaffirm Washington's support for him and emphasize the importance of the sustainability of Bazoum's leadership following the coup in the country.
According to US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Blinken praised Bazoum's role in advancing security not only Niger but also the West African region.
"Blinken insists that the United States will continue to strive to ensure the full restoration of the constitutional order and democratic government in Niger," Miller said of telephone talks between Blinken and Bazoum as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, July 3.
In a separate phone call with former Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, Blinken expressed concern that the democratically elected Bazoum was still being held, while ongoing negotiations to ensure the constitutional order in Niger was deadlocked.
"Minister (Blinken) is concerned that those who detained Bazoum threaten the sustainability of successful cooperation over the years and the aid of hundreds of millions of dollars to support the people of Niger," the US State Department said in a statement.
Blinken asked Issoufou to continue efforts to resolve the issue in order to support democratically elected civilian rule.
Earlier this week, Niger soldiers calling themselves the National Council for State Protection (CNSP) announced a coup over television, shortly after detaining Bazoum at his residence.
They called the deteriorating security situation and poor governance the reason for the coup.
Bazoum was elected in 2021 in Niger's first democratic transition to power since gaining independence from France in 1960.
The US refrained from calling the incident a coup, in part because of restrictions in American law that would trigger the cessation of all US foreign aid.
VOIR éGALEMENT:
The US has more than 1,000 troops in Niger and operates a drone base near Agadez.
Washington has teamed up with Niger authorities for counter-terrorism operations in the region.
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