New US envoy arrives in Niger, no policy change yet: State Dept
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Attempts to address Niger's political situation following last month's military coup continue.
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American and Niger flags are raised during the construction of the Niger Air Base in Agadez, Niger in April 2018. (AP).
The State Department announced Saturday that a new US ambassador was dispatched to Niamey as diplomatic attempts to address Niger's political situation following last month's military coup continue.
However, Kathleen FitzGibbon will not formally deliver her credentials to the military administration, which the US does not recognize, according to a statement from the department.
The statement noted that the arrival of FitzGibbon does not change the US policy, but rather "responds to the need for senior leadership of our mission at a challenging time."
Her role, according to the statement, is to search for a diplomatic solution to preserve order in Niger and to press for the release of President Mohamed Bazoum and those illegally detained with him.
FitzGibbon's entry comes only weeks after the United States asked non-essential embassy workers to depart amid the post-coup chaos in Nigeria.
The US, its Western allies, and the ECOWAS bloc have been closely monitoring Niger since the outbreak of the coup on July 26.
A group from West Africa's ECOWAS bloc arrived in Niger on Saturday, seeking a diplomatic rather than military solution to the ousting of Niger's former president by the military junta that also enjoys popular support.
The group, led by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, arrived a day after ECOWAS military commanders declared a 'D-Day' to act to restore the deposed president.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger in March and has spoken to Bazoum numerous times, while Blinken's deputy Victoria Nuland paid a surprise visit to Niamey earlier this month but was unable to meet with coup leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani or Bazoum, who was legally elected in 2021.
The State Department statement expressed that it remains "committed to working with African partners," including ECOWAS, "to promote security, stability, democratic governance and the rule of law in the Sahel."
According to a source close to Saturday's trip, the delegation will give "a message of firmness" to army leaders and meet with Bazoum.
According to an EU official, ECOWAS head and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu threatened Niamey on Friday with "grave consequences" if the new leadership permits Bazoum's health to deteriorate.
