Blinken calls Niger's ousted President, reiterates the US's support
3 Min Read
The US is preparing to pull out all non-emergency workers from its embassy as Niger's military junta pushes out its ally from power.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) poses for a photograph with former Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum during their meeting at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, on March 16, 2023. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, as the former confirmed Washington's commitment to restoring Bazoum's government, a press release from the State Department read.
Blinken stated that the US's position is consistent with that of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union. He added that they are working on finding a peaceful resolution that would see Bazoum back in power.
The Department of State said that its travel advisory to Niger has been raised to level 4, cautioning citizens not to travel to the West African country. It also ordered the "temporary departure of non-emergency US government personnel" and their family members from the US embassy in Niamey, Niger.
Washington also cautioned against efforts to overturn Niger's "constitutional order," reiterating its support for the "democratic governance" of its ally Bazoum as well as the rule of law and human rights.
On Wednesday, the US Air Force Brigadier General and Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder to reporters that US military personnel will not evacuate Niger, adding that there is no imminent threat against its more than 1000 troops in the country.
Ryder announced that security cooperation with the Nigerien armed forces has been suspended adding that the Pentagon will "maintain close contact" with its Nigerien "military counterparts."
When asked about US drone activity in Niger, where the Pentagon has built a center for its aerial operations in West Africa, Ryder refused to comment on the situation saying that he will not discuss the specifics of intelligence operations.
This comes after reports indicated that the Nigerien military junta, which overthrew Bazoum on August 1, stopped US drone flights from taking in its $110 million base dubbed, Niger Air Base 201, which is considered to be its center of aerial operations in West Africa.
Neighboring countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Algeria have warned against Western military intervention in the country saying that they will act against it.
"Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali," Mali and Burkina Faso said, adding that the "disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger... could destabilize the entire region".
They further expressed their refusal to apply the "illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger".
Reports suppose that France and the US will ally themselves with ECOWAS members to reinstall Bazoum as President of Niger after another military coup in the region threatened Western economic and military interests.
Read more: Burkina Faso, Mali warn Niger intervention declaration of war
