US Diplomat Urges Niger’s Coup Authorities to Restore Democratic Rule
A senior US diplomat, Victoria Nuland, has visited Niger to push the coup authorities to restore democratic rule after the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum last month. Nuland held “frank and difficult” talks with the coup’s defence chief, Moussa Salaou Barmou, and three of his colonels in Niger’s capital, Niamey. This was the first trip by a US official to the country since the coup on July 26.
However, Nuland’s requests to meet with Bazoum and coup leader Abdourahmane Tchiani were denied. In a telephone briefing with reporters after the talks, Nuland offered a grim assessment, stating that the military leaders were firm in their view of how they wanted to proceed, which did not align with the Constitution of Niger. Despite this, Nuland reaffirmed the US’s commitment to a negotiated solution to the conflict, stating that if the coup leaders were willing to return to Niger’s “constitutional order,” the US was prepared to help with that.
Earlier on Monday, the US State Department confirmed that it had made direct contact with the coup leaders and stressed the need for Bazoum to be reinstated. The military leaders seized power in Niger on July 26, detaining Bazoum and sparking international condemnation. Last week, an African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened to use force against the new authorities if Bazoum was not restored to power. However, a Sunday deadline set by ECOWAS expired without any military action.
In response to the sanctions, coup leader Tchiani denounced them as “illegal” and “inhumane” and rejected what he called interference in the country’s internal affairs. ECOWAS will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis.
The US is in close contact with ECOWAS leadership and is using diplomacy to help Niger return to civilian rule. Last week, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that Washington would suspend aid to the country, except for humanitarian assistance, until the restoration of Niger’s democratically elected government. The suspended aid is estimated to be worth at least $100 million.
The coup authorities have cited the deteriorating security situation in the country as the reason for removing Bazoum from power. Niger has been battling armed groups, including ISIL (ISIS). However, Bazoum, who was elected in 2021, has remained defiant, calling for international support and refusing to step down.
In an opinion piece published by The Washington Post last week, Bazoum called on the US government and the entire international community to help restore Niger’s constitutional order.
As the situation in Niger continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring the developments and urging the coup authorities to restore democratic rule. The US and other Western countries have provided significant military aid to Niger in its battle against armed groups. The future of the country hangs in the balance as diplomatic efforts intensify to find a peaceful resolution and return Niger to civilian governance.
Original Story at www.aljazeera.com – 2023-08-07 22:30:00
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