The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, informed the ousted President of Niger, Mohammed Bazoum, that Washington will work to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order in his country in the wake of a military coup that overthrew his rule.
The US State Department stated, in a statement, that Blinken also spoke by phone with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and discussed with her efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger, stressing that his country’s administration supports the democratic path in Niger, and Bazoum, who came to power through elections.
The leaders of the coup in Niger had chosen General Abd al-Rahman Tiane as the new President of the country, in the wake of the seventh military coup in Niamey in less than three years.
On the other hand, John Kirby, Spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House, said in press statements, “We remind those who are trying to seize power by force that the overthrow of the democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum will endanger the great cooperation of the United States with the government of Niger,” stressing that “the seizure of the military might push Washington to stop security and other cooperation with the Niamey government.
He also warned that the coup “would strengthen violent extremist organizations, undermine stability and exacerbate insecurity and violence in the region,” adding, “We believe that there is still room for diplomacy here, and that diplomacy is being actively pursued not only by the United States, but also by our African allies and partners as well.”
Kirby pointed out that his country, along with other international partners, is closely monitoring the situation to collectively determine the next steps.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency