US to evacuate embassy staff, families from Niger

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Aug 2023 20:51

An anonymous US official tells Reuters that they plan on evacuating American personnel from their embassy in Niger, however, the embassy will continue to operate.

US embassy in Niamey, Nigeria (US Department of State)

The United States is preparing to evacuate some staff and their families from its embassy in Niger following the coup, Reuters reported, citing an anonymous US official.

The US official explained that the decision to evacuate personnel was a precautionary measure in case the security situation worsens, but the core embassy staff would remain in place.

The official added that the US personnel would be evacuated out of Niger in a civilian aircraft.

France, the United States, Germany, and Italy have military forces on the ground in Niger under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

As of now, there has been no announcement of troop withdrawals from Niger. The United States currently maintains around 1,100 troops in the country, operating from two bases.

This comes after the French Foreign Ministry confirmed earlier today that two French flights carrying over 350 French nationals, as well as citizens of other countries evacuated from Niger, landed in Paris, a week after the president of the West African nation was ousted in a military coup.

"Two flights have already arrived in France and evacuated nationals who wanted [to leave the country]. Over 350 French nationals have been evacuated, as well as citizens of other countries: Niger, Portugal, Belgium, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Germany, Canada, India, the United States and Austria," the Ministry said on Twitter.

The third flight is being prepared in the Nigerien capital of Niamey to continue the evacuation efforts, the tweet added.

The coup unfolded on Wednesday, July 26 when members of the Nigerien presidential guard announced on national television that they had ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Subsequently, they closed the country's borders and imposed a curfew "until further notice."

The coup came shortly after the presidential guard detained President Bazoum at his residence and sealed off access to public offices in the capital city, Niamey.

Local media reported that the mutiny was triggered by President Bazoum's alleged plan to dismiss General Omar Tchiani, the commander of the presidential guard.

Bazoum said he and his family were in a safe condition after the mutiny had ended, as per the Presidential office.