Niger army colonel Amadou Abdramane announced on state television on July 28 that General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the presidential guard who overthrew Niger President Mohamed Bazoum this week, is now Niger's new head of state, according to Reuters. Abdramane also said the constitution has been suspended.
General Abdourahmane Tiani, who was declared the new head of state of Niger by the coup leaders, arrives to meet ministers in the capital Niamey (Niger) on July 28.
After Abdramane made the statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Bazoum in a phone call that the US would work to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order in Niger, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the US State Department . Blinken also spoke separately with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna about efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Earlier, a US State Department spokesman said military leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries and international partners including the US were in contact with multiple military leaders in Niger.
In addition, Mr. John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications of the US National Security Council, said Washington condemned any attempt to seize power by force, and warned that a military takeover could cause the US to stop security cooperation and other activities with Niger.
Niger is a key partner in Washington's fight against Islamist insurgents. US troops have been training local forces to fight the insurgents.
Hundreds of coup supporters gathered in front of parliament in the capital Niamey (Niger) on July 27.
The Biden administration has also touted Niger as a democratic success story in the region. “A military takeover could lead to the cessation of US security and other cooperation with the government of Niger, jeopardizing existing security and non-security partnerships,” Kirby warned, adding that the US was “deeply concerned” about developments in Niger.
US foreign assistance law prohibits most assistance to any country whose elected head of government has been deposed in a coup or by decree, unless the US secretary of state determines that providing aid is in the national security interest of the US, according to Reuters.
So far in fiscal year 2023, the United States has provided nearly $138 million in humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in Niger, according to a State Department spokesperson.
From fiscal years 2017-2022, the United States has committed $281 million in security assistance for counterterrorism, law enforcement, judicial institutions, and other uses in Niger.
There are currently about 1,100 US troops in Niger, where the US military operates from two bases. The Pentagon said on July 28 that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is closely monitoring developments in Niger.
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